Leon Clarke released in Wolves clear out

Wolves today began the clear out for next season by releasing Leon Clarke and Jake Cassidy and announcing new deals for Zeli Ismail and Connor Hunte.

The club have also extended Liam McAlinden's contract by 12 months and reached a settlement with Colorado Rapids.

The latter deal will allow Kevin Doyle to join the Major League Soccer outfit now, rather than after June 30, as they are in season.

Wolves have decided against taking up the 12-month option on Clarke, who is out of contract.

At £750,000, is the third most expensive signing of the Kenny Jackett era after £2million Benik Afobe and George Saville, at £1m.

Clarke's loan at Wigan was ended early by their relegated Championship rivals, as boss Gary Caldwell started plans for next season.

He scored three times in 29 league appearances in his second spell at Molineux, although only nine of those were starts.

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And they have released Cassidy, 22, with a year left on his deal. He failed to score in 17 games on loan at League Two side Southend, after four in 16 matches for Notts County in League One earlier this season.

The former Wales Under-21 international failed to score in 20 league appearances for Wolves.

Ismail signed a two-year contract before his loan spell at Notts County, which ties him to Wolves to next summer with another year's option for the club.

But the club have only announced it now, similarly with fellow wide man Hunte, who signed a new contract in January which ties him to the club until next summer.

Wolves still have to decide the futures of club captain Sam Ricketts and goalkeeper Tomasz Kuszczak.