Relegation-haunted York City have been riven by a major split as former captain Steve Agnew demanded a transfer.

On the way out: City midfielder Steve Agnew (right) who has been axed from tonight's line-up against Blackpool after asking for a transfer

The shock move was today confirmed by manager Alan Little, who is privately seething at Agnew's decision to turn his back on the club as it battles against the drop.

The 33-year-old midfielder has been axed from tonight's visit of Blackpool and is unlikely to figure again in City's senior red shirt unless there is a massive about-turn.

Agnew's wantaway demand was made in the aftermath of a weekend in which City's defeat at Bristol Rovers spiralled the Minstermen to just three points above the drop zone with all but one of the clubs below them having games in hand.

Declared an angry City boss: "Steve Agnew has asked for a transfer because he feels it isn't right here for him.

"He wants to leave the club and I cannot afford to persist with somebody when he wants away. Other than that I am not going to make any more comment."

Little however is fuming that the man on whose experience he was banking to make a challenge for honours this campaign should now want to quit as the Minstermen face their toughest battle for several years.

It is no secret that Agnew, who arrived in the summer after being released from Sunderland, was the highest-paid player on the City payroll. After this season he still had another two years of his contract to run.

Though no transfer fee was involved City made a sizeable investment in giving a three-year contract to Agnew, who was targeted as the missing link of experience in a midfield populated by willing youngsters.

But Agnew, who was troubled by injury during pre-season to delay his start to the term, has only sporadically shown the form City were confident he would reproduce to inspire the Minstermen.

His first game for City was ironically away at his former club Sunderland's new Stadium of Light followed by another appearance before injury again took its toll.

He returned for the 3-2 win at Walsall and was an ever-present for the next 16 games, including his only two goals of the season with a brace in his man-of-the-match performance in the 3-3 draw with leaders Fulham.

But the midfielder broke down with injury after the early-December FA Cup exit at Wrexham. He was restored to the senior ranks just over a month ago when he came on as a substitute at Colchester.

It is understood Agnew was barracked by the small core of City fans who made the long haul to Bristol Rovers on Saturday, where his influence was minimal. Now it looks as if that influence has all but ended as he seeks a future elsewhere.

Besides Agnew's demand to defect, City manager Little confirmed that striker Neil Woods, another summer signing of experience, has also asked to go up for sale.

The veteran striker has not been in senior contention since mid-December and has been restricted to just seven starts all season.

But it is Agnew's wantaway wish that will smart the fiercest as City face the exit too of defender Tony Barras and striker Neil Tolson with both locked in contract disputes with the drop-troubled club.

Several third division clubs have inquired about the availablity of striker Neil Tolson, the latest being Torquay United, but they have not made a firm offer

Tolson, whose contract with City runs out in summer, almost joined Plymouth last month but could not agreed personal terms.

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