Ayr United release Bryan Prunty

Jan 15 2010 by Mike Wilson, Ayrshire Post (main ed)

BRYAN PRUNTY has followed Chris Aitken out the door andothers are set to follow in a big Somerset Park shuffle.

Tough talking Ayr boss Brian Reid is freeing up space as he gears up his men for the battle against the drop.

Scott Agnew, whose six month loan deal at Alloa is now up, will also move on and he won’t be alone.

New faces are being urgently sought and firmly in the frame is former Hibs midfielder Ross Chisholm who has been training at the club.

Experienced striker Tam McManus, who is currently at Grimsby after impressing at Ayr before Christmas, will speak to Reid later this week with hopes that a deal could still be struck.

Junior Mendes will be offered an extended deal until the end of the season while Reid has reinforced his view that wanted man Ryan Stevenson, who is being tracked by Dundee and Queen of the South, won’t leave on the cheap.

Prunty, last season’s Second Division player of the year, has been on loan at Stirling who are keen to keep him. He thrashed out a deal on Monday to be released from his contract by mutual consent.

Skipper Aitken’s contract is also being torn up after it was initially thought he was rejoining the Binos only on loan.

Reid said: “Prunty leaves with our best wishes and it’s an amicable parting. He did well for us last season, was a big part of us winning promotion and I thank him for that.

“Sometimes in football things have to change and that’s what has happened here. Chris is also leaving by mutual consent and again it’s amicable on both sides.”

Reid says he is determined to add quality to the ranks as they push for league safety.

He vowed: “There will be definitely be new faces coming in –- there has to be. I need one, if not two strikers, and with Aitken leaving there is a space in the centre of midfield.

“I have already let two players go and there are more to follow. It’s not the end of it.

“Perhaps if four go I can bring in three on better terms but I have to balance the books.

“There is no news on Stevenson. I certainly don’t want to lose him and he will not go on the cheap.

“Chisholm has trained with us since Saturday and has looked decent. He has a good pedigree after playing 40 games in the SPL.”