Paul Henderson was expected to decide today if he will be sticking around at Valley Parade.

City are pressing the Australian keeper for an answer after offering him a new three-year deal.

The contract has been on the table since last week and Henderson was originally given until tomorrow to make up his mind. But Colin Todd wants to know as soon as possible and hoped to hear today.

The club believe the improved offer is a good one for a player who is still in his first season of English football. And given the strict limits on the wage bill, they are not prepared to break the bank.

City have already shown with Nicky Summerbee that they will not be pushed.

Henderson has proved an exceptional find and has established himself as the undisputed first-choice goalkeeper. But City have to juggle the finances carefully, especially with the introduction of a transfer window next term which means that all signings must be completed before the opening game.

Donovan Ricketts is also affected by Henderson's decision because it is unlikely that City would be in a position to retain both keepers.

Ricketts hoped to play regular first-team football when he signed for the club and was given the number one jersey. But he has not featured at all so far and may not be content to sit around for another year as the back-up choice.

But if Henderson opts to try his luck elsewhere in the summer, the Jamaican international would see it as his chance to push for the starting role. It would be a surprise if Todd did not have a look at him in at least one of the final four games of the

season. Todd has already begun planning ahead and wants to have three goalkeepers in a squad of about 23 for August.

Summerbee's departure was evidence that the City boss will not hang about with players who are not happy to sign for the terms on offer.

The right winger, who had rejected a new deal, left the club last week after an ineffective return to the side at Chesterfield.

Todd said: "Nicky had done extremely well for us at times but I spoke to him after that game and felt he hadn't done himself any justice.

"I just felt he had lost a bit of appetite and we both decided it was the right time for him to leave."

Three others who will go in the summer - Peter Atherton, Wayne Jacobs and Craig Armstrong - were all included in the squad for the final home reserve game this afternoon against Walsall.