Ford heaps praise on departing defender Steedman

That meant releasing Jon Steedman and the United boss was quick to praise the departing defender.

Ford said: “We will obviously miss Mark [Bell] but the compensation is that we’ve got a strong bench and I’ve got players who can come in and do a similar job.

“I spoke to Michael [Hopkins] in the summer so he was always a player who was on the radar for me.

“I haven’t seen anyone better than him at left-back and I’ve got the best right-back because Callum White has been fantastic. I’ve not seen a winger go past him all season and he gives so much going forward.

“I’ve nothing but admiration for Jon [Steedman], I brought him in to give the club to add some stability. He has given the club some solid foundations so we can move forward and he has been brilliant.

“He’s been on the bench a lot but he has got his head down and showed a great attitude. I’m not going to bring in anyone who is not as good as I’ve got. I don’t envisage any more additions but you never know.”