Franco passes the point of no return

According to manager Gus MacPherson, Miranda - who has spent the last two years on loan at the club - was after a 75 per cent rise in his salary. I've no idea what sort of wage he was on, but I wouldn't be too surprised if he was after a salary similar to that of Mo Camara's and the requested increase would have taken him to that level.

Things were complicated even further by Miranda's club, CAI, invoking a clause in his contract that sees it extended, meaning we would have had to pay a fee for him to sign permanently. WIth the deal falling through, we are left with just one leftback (and he's a bit of a bombscare) and MacPherson says we'll only be able to make another two signings this summer. Considering we also need two centre halves and a right winger, things don't bode well.

Franco scored after just 20 minutes of his debut against Inverness Caley Thistle in 2007 and scored another three goals during his time with Saints before getting injured during last season. He was a popular player with the support and will be missed, even if his defending was a little suspect at times.