Danny Simpson rejects new Huddersfield Town contract

Right-back Simpson, who won the Premier League with Leicester City and played Champions League football for Manchester United, joined as a free agent shortly after manager Danny Cowley's arrival in September and was part of the side beaten at home to Wigan Athletic on Saturday, but has rejected a short-term extension to his contract, which runs out on Tuesday.

Kamil Grabara was the Terriers' first-choice goalkeeper until a nasty head injury in late January caused them to sign Jonas Lossl, also on loan. Grabara has not featured since, and Liverpool have therefore decided to recall him.

Joel Coleman, who sat on the bench on Saturday, will now become second-choice goalkeeper and is one of seven other players who have signed short-term contract extensions, but with Huddersfield only a point above the Championship relegation zone with eight matches remaining, Town feel unable to commit to anything for next season.

“These are unprecedented circumstances for football and footballers, and I want to thank them for their commitment to the cause at a vital time for the club,” commented manager Danny Cowley.

“As we’ve said already, we cannot commit to any future contracts for senior players now; we need to know what division we’re in, and what next season will look like in terms of start date and circumstances. There’s an awful lot to play for, for both the club and the players.”

Elias Kachunga, Jon Gorenc Stankovic, Collin Quaner, Demeaco Duhaney, Rekeil Pyke and Ryan Schofield will also see out the season in West Yorkshire.

Lossl, Emile Smith Rowe, Chris Willock, Andy King and Trevoh Chalobah have had their loans extended by their parent clubs. Only five loanees are allowed per matchday squad.

Simpson, who is 33, started 24 matches this season, and was substitute for another.

“He made a big contribution at a vital time and we respect his decision on his future,” said Cowley. “We wish him all the best moving forward.

“Kamil is still returning from injury and the timescales on the restart of the season put him at risk of further problems, so it makes sense for everyone for him to return to Liverpool. He’s another player who made a real contribution during the first half of the season and I thank him for his efforts. We wish him all the best, he’ll go on to be a top goalkeeper.”

Defender Romoney Crichlow-Noble has been offered a new contract after impressing on loan at Welling United, while under-19 centre-back Oran Thompson has been offered an academy coaching role. Goalkeeper Giosue Bellagambi, centre-backs Tom Bamford and Nassim Kherbouche, full-back Sam Sharrock-Peplow and utility man Jaheim Headley have been offered first professional contracts, but 14 academy players will be released.

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