Paul Tierney will not be signing for City.

The former Manchester United defender had been hoping to make a permanent move to Valley Parade after his loan spell, but Colin Todd felt the left back's performances were too inconsistent.

Tierney featured 16 times and started well with an impressive debut at Torquay in December. But four days later he was subbed just after half an hour against Port Vale.

The 22-year-old missed six weeks with a torn hamstring before returning against Doncaster at Easter and playing the final eight games.

But he was booked four times in that run and his up-and-down form failed to convince Todd, who hauled him off midway through the second half at Oldham on Saturday after another poor display.

The City boss said: "It's disappointing for me as a manager because I was looking for him to come in and join us. But I just felt the consistency level hasn't been there.

"I've thanked Paul for everything he has done at the football club and wish him well elsewhere, wherever that might be."

With Wayne Jacobs gone, Tierney's departure means that Lewis Emanuel is the only senior left back.

That will be a priority area in Todd's summer squad-strengthening, which also includes another left-sided midfielder and two centre forwards.

City will also need another goalkeeper to replace Paul Henderson, although Donovan Ricketts will be confirmed as first choice. The Jamaican international is currently in contract talks and the club are confident a deal will be struck this week.

Ricketts, who has played four times, looked a bit shaky at Oldham but Todd put that down to the strong wind.

He said: "The conditions were bad and if they hadn't been then I think his decision on the first goal might have been different.

"Donovan has done well for us and overall I have got no problems."

Ricketts will miss the first three weeks of pre-season training after being called up by Jamaica for the Gold Cup in America.

City are due to return on June 30 but Ricketts will be away with the Reggae Boyz for games against Guatemala on July 8, South Africa two days later and Mexico on July 13 in the preliminary round stages.