Hayden Mullins and Wade Elliott have both been in the news today saying that they want to stay with their respective loan clubs. Mullins, who is on loan to League One side Notts County and Elliott, at fellow League One outfit Bristol City are both out of contract at the end of the season.

It’s not quite as much of a plea of “Come and get me” as the Bristol Post headline makes out, but it is clear Elliott sees his immediate future still on the pitch despite turning 35 last December. The midfielder talks about having completed his UEFA B coaching licence (to add to his degree in sociology) but he goes on to say “… that is only an option for me when I finish playing and I still feel as though I have a couple of seasons left in me still.” Elliott has made fourteen appearances for the Robins in his loan spell, scoring twice.

The Nottingham Post is more circumspect, saying that Mullins has refused to rule out a permanent move to Meadow Lane this summer. The midfielder, who turned 35 last month has made twelve appearances on loan for the Magpies and has said he would be open to a move to Notts County. Mullins told the Post “If he [Notts County manager Shaun Derry] says he needs me and he wants me to stay, then I will have that conversation with him.” Interestingly, despite his being placed on the free transfer list at the start of the season and being shunted out on loan Mullins still had a kind word for Blues, saying “It’s a great club and I loved my time there. My chances were limited and I understood that given my age.”

I think it’s obvious that both players, along with other “higher” wage earners such as Darren Ambrose and Peter Lovenkrands are going to be released at the end of the season. It’s a shame in some ways that their careers with Blues petered out so much; Elliott was a valuable player for the team last season but this year his age seemed to catch up with him and he didn’t seem as able to perform in the middle. I think we miss Mullins’ experience and versatility at times too; Mullins will be playing in the centre of defence for Notts County tomorrow – an area Blues are a bit short – and while he has been the target of criticism from some sections of the fans I don’t think he’s as bad as has been made out.

Tags: Hayden Mullins, Wade Elliott