CITY’S top earner Aaron Mclean looks to have played his final game for the club as they try to get him out on loan this week.

Mclean was left out of the squad for Saturday’s loss to Doncaster and boss Phil Parkinson is hoping a deal can be sorted quickly.

The striker, who has scored only seven goals since joining City in January, is understood to have spent last week discussing possible options.

Mclean is thought to favour a move back to the south. His availability has alerted several lower-division clubs, with Portsmouth and Luton believed to be among them.

But he is reluctant to drop down to the fourth tier.

Pompey boss Andy Awford has declined to reveal his club’s strike target but said: “If he goes to League One, then great – good luck to him.

“But if that doesn’t come off and there is still a possibility to take him, then I will do it.

“I had a conversation with his manager that he was available. But others then came into play and the player has the decision to make.”

Parkinson, who is still casting an eye over free agent Sylvan Ebanks-Blake, wants to free up cash to “freshen things up”. But City will have to pay a significant portion of the wages in any Mclean deal.

Parkinson said: “I want to generate some money to bring someone else in and Aaron gives us the opportunity to do that. We’ve had a few inquiries about him.

“I thought it might have happened before the weekend but he’s contemplating one or two clubs who have come in for him.

“If he goes next week then hopefully I can utilise that money and strengthen us in a couple of departments.

“Sometimes as a manager and a club, we’ve just got to make decisions to freshen things up. I’ve got to make sure that decision works in our favour in a positive way.

“Sylvan is still with us. We’ll just have a look at that.”

With Jon Stead blocked by Huddersfield from playing in City’s FA Cup derby at Halifax on Sunday, Parkinson has also put any loan for Oliver McBurnie on hold.

The teenager, who had been targeted by Hartlepool, came off the bench against Doncaster.

Parkinson added: “The plan is still to probably get him out on loan if we get the reinforcements to boost our squad. But it’s only when we’re ready.”

City dropped into the bottom half of League One after their fifth Valley Parade defeat. They have taken only one point in five games.

Stead opened the scoring with the first goal of his second loan spell but Rovers, who had keeper Sam Johnstone to thank for a superb display, came back to win 2-1.

Parkinson said: “We’ve got to make sure we remain positive with the players. At other times we’ve been really unhappy with things but this wasn’t one of them.

“We asked them for a lot and wanted to see more conviction and bravery in possession. They gave us that.

“We’ve got to make sure we reproduce that level of performance. If we do, we’ll turn this run we’re having round.”