Exit door for Jones

Photo: Alan Howarth

MIKE JONES... the midfielder has been released by Athletic

MIKE Jones is leaving Athletic, after the club chose not to take up the option on him for an extra year.

The Chronicle understands that the 28-year-old, who was the players’ player of the year last season, is free to find another club after falling out of favour with manager John Sheridan.

An experienced performer who was signed two years ago from Crawley, Jones has been in and out of the side lately during a campaign in which he has been disrupted by injuries.

Though Athletic could have extended his stay for 12 months, Sheridan — linked this week with a move to Leeds United — will look elsewhere for a midfielder as he rebuilds his squad for 2016-17.

Meanwhile, player of the season Liam Kelly believes Walsall provide the model to follow if Athletic are to break the top-six in 2016-17.

CONTRACTED

Kelly (26), one of only a handful of men contracted to the club for next season, was a mainstay of a turbulent campaign featuring two managerial sackings and 41 players used.

It ended positively, though, with top-six form under boss John Sheridan only falling away once safety from relegation had been confirmed.

Kelly cites Walsall’s success as evidence of what can be achieved by a club of similar standing to Athletic.

With eight games left in the 2014-15 season, the Saddlers were only three points clear of the relegation zone in League One.

A year on, they only missed out on automatic promotion by one point.

Jon Whitney’s side ­— reportedly built on the third-lowest budget in the division, with only 26 players used in total ­— are currently preparing for a play-off semi-final against Barnsley.

“We have used more players than most sides in this league. A lot of players and a lot of managers . . .when things are changing, you can’t let outside influences change your own game,” said Kelly.

“Thankfully, the tide eventually turned. The performances picked up and the results came with it.

“If you see Walsall’s position last year, they were flirting with relegation. It is near enough the same squad they have got now and they have finished in the play-offs.

“It is something we can look at and hopefully, replicate.”

Athletic’s captain netted six goals to end the season as the club’s leading scorer in league games.