LEFT-BACK James Meredith could look to leave York City next summer if the club fail to win promotion from the Blue Square Bet Premier, according to his agent, Darren Lewis.

The highly-rated Australian defender signed a new one-year contract last week, to the delight of Bootham Crescent boss Gary Mills.

Lewis said other clubs were interested in 23-year-old Meredith but had been reluctant to pay compensation to the Minstermen.

If Meredith seeks a move to another English club next summer he would be entitled to a free transfer under the Bosman ruling, having turned 24.

“Chesterfield and Crewe were both interested in him but put off by the compensation issue,” Lewis said.

“We think York City are a club that are going forward but he has signed a one-year deal that will give him the opportunity to move on if the club aren’t promoted next season.

“I like Gary Mills and have also been impressed with (chairman) Jason McGill too. They’ve bent over backwards to work something out for James and he would have struggled to get a better deal at a League Two club.

“York are a good club with good fans and are very professional in their work compared to so many others I have to deal with.”

Meanwhile, Gateshead have released four former York City players with Craig Nelthorpe, Andy Ferrell, Carl Jones and Richard Offiong deemed surplus to requirements at the International Stadium.