Moore-Taylor and Reeves among the NINE released by MK Dons

Jordan Moore-Taylor and Ben Reeves will leave MK Dons at the end of the month as the club cut 10 out-of-contract players from their squad.

While new deals have been offered to captain Dean Lewington, Joe Walsh and Callum Brittain, Moore-Taylor and Reeves depart, alongside Stuart Moore, Laurie Walker, Ben Gladwin, Ryan Harley, Charlie Pattison, Dylan Asonganyi and Joe Mason. Dons have taken up an option on young striker Jay Bird for another season.

Manager Russell Martin said: "These are guys who I’ve been teammates with and have been great for us on and off the pitch. I am so grateful for everything they’ve given me since taking over and I know the Club is appreciative of their efforts too. We wish them all the best.

“In terms of the players we’ve offered contracts too, we’re waiting to hear back from those guys on their decisions. Hopefully we can get their futures sorted, and early, before we have those discussions with the others we may look to keep.”

One other player contract will end too - that of manager Martin, though he announced his retirement from playing when he took over at the helm last November. He will, of course, remain as manager, though the future of Harley, who was working alongside Martin as a coach, is still up for debate.

“I hope to have Ryan back in some capacity," Martin continued. "He’s been excellent bridging that gap between the players and staff and he’s played a key role for us. There won’t be anything immediate on that, though, because there are lots of other things we need to sort out first, and Ryan understands that."

Dons will retain the following players under contract: Kieran Agard, Hiram Boateng, Jordan Bowery, Baily Cargill, Alex Gilbey, Rhys Healey, Jordan Houghton, Conor McGrandles, Lee Nicholls, Regan Poole, George Williams, David Kasumu, Sam Nombe, Matthew Sorinola.

Moore-Taylor was one of Paul Tisdale's first signings in the summer of 2018, arriving from Exeter. Despite being Dons' most consistent defenders in League Two, his time at Stadium MK was hampered by long-term injuries, limiting him to just 41 appearances in two years.

Reeves returned to Stadium MK after three years at Charlton last summer, but like Moore-Taylor, was hampered by injuries and made just five starts.