Cheltenham Town manager Michael Duff has admitted that captain Will Boyle could leave the club upon the expiration of his contract in the summer, despite the club’s desire to keep hold of the 26-year-old.
“We offered him a deal, he said ‘I’m alright for now’ and I don’t worry about it too much,” said Duff in his pre-Accrington Stanley press conference. Duff’s side travel to 13th placed Accrington, who like Cheltenham have lost their past two games in the division.
“The season finishes in a month, so we’ll know then one way or the other,” revealed Duff, in regards to Boyle’s future.
“It’s not like the contract isn’t there. I had a conversation with him three or four weeks ago and I’ll keep that between us.”
Boyle joined the Robins from boyhood club Huddersfield Town in 2017, following five loan spells away from the Terriers during his first-team career. The central defender helped Cheltenham gain promotion to League One as Champions last season, making 29 appearances in the league, notching six goals along the way.
“He’s the captain of the football club and I don’t think people can question his attitude of application,” Duff added.
“That’s all we can ask, give your best when you are on the pitch. He’s done that, so we have no issue with him.”
The defender was appointed as club captain when Ben Tozer left the club in the summer to join National League side Wrexham.
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Losing Boyle would be a big blow for Cheltenham, as the defender has made 25 appearances for the club this campaign, helping them to 12th place in League One as they look set for their highest ever league finish.
A regular starting in the back three, Boyle is closing in on 200 games played for Cheltenham, but with 10 more appearances needed to reach that milestone, he may well end his Robins career just shy of that landmark.
