Fleetwood Town midfielder Kyle Dempsey set to depart Highbury?

The Gazette understands that it is unlikely that Town will retain the services of the former Carlisle United man and will allow him to leave on a free transfer.

Dempsey was offered a three-year-deal in January which would have made him one of the highest-paid players at the club.

The 24-year-old then picked up a back injury in February, which looked as if it would rule him out for the remainder of the League One season.

However, the coronavirus pandemic and the subsequent delay to the season meant he was able to return for the play-off semi-final against Wycombe Wanderers.

Dempsey, who played 30 times during the course of this season and scored twice, has made 144 appearances for the Cod Army since joining the club, initially on loan in 2016, from Huddersfield Town.

Nevertheless, Town have other options lined up and are confident of finding a suitable replacement for Dempsey.

Dempsey did not always find favour with new team boss Joey Barton in the 2018/19 campaign and spent the second half of the campaign on loan at Peterborough United.

However, Dempsey’s attitude on his return earned praise from the head coach and he enjoyed a new lease of life at the club.

It now seems more than likely, however, that he will have to find football elsewhere.

Fleetwood are opting for a patient and measured approach to player recruitment this summer in the hope of attracting players from a higher level.

Many players’ contracts are running an extra month to cover the extended season.

And when a contract runs out at the end of June, players generally continue to receive money for July as severance pay.

Town’s ambition is to convince players to take a step down into League One, meaning the best opportunity for them to complete a deal is once those contract/severance agreements have expired.

It’s understood a few potential deals have been lined up and the club is busy behind the scenes.

Elsewhere, coach Ciaran Donnelly is being linked with a return to Blackpool after his role as head of Fleetwood Town’s academy was advertised this week.