OUT-OF-CONTRACT York City winger Matty Blair has signalled his intention to talk to other clubs and Jason Walker has been released by the Minstermen.

Blair, who will turn 24 in June and is entitled to a free transfer under the Bosman ruling, has expressed his desire to look around elsewhere following discussions on his future with City chief Nigel Worthington.

The Minstermen boss also revealed that the club’s 2011/12 top scorer turned down improved terms to stay at Bootham Crescent on more than one occasion during the season just ended.

Blair scored 20 goals and lifted The Press Player of the Year award during City’s double-winning Wembley campaign.

But Blair has hit the target only seven times since and lost his place in the side under Worthington before starting the last three games of the season.

Former Northern Ireland boss Worthington added that the Minstermen would still be open to negotiating new terms with Blair if he does not find alternative employers and the club have not found a suitable replacement for him in the meantime.

On Blair’s situation, Worthington said: “I spoke to him yesterday and he told me there’s been quite a bit of interest in him and he wants to keep his options open.

“The football club have offered him two or three contracts over the course of the season and he refused them so I have said to him if he wants to speak to other people and, for whatever reason, nothing materialises, then he can come back and speak to ourselves.

“I have to respect that he wants to keep his options open although, as much as I would like him to stay, the club won’t wait on any individual.

“The club will have business to do and, if the situation arises, where there is a player to be acquired in that position then business needs to be done because you can’t hang around.”

Walker, 29, failed to score in his last 13 outings for City and finished the season with nine goals, having netted 18 times during the previous campaign, which was blighted by injury.

On his departure, Worthington added: “Jason has been released by the club and he’s free now to go wherever he wishes with our best wishes.”