Bristol City manager Gary Johnson says he did not expect Luke Wilkshire to return.
Bristol City manager Gary Johnson says he did not expect Luke Wilkshire to return for the new season.The Australia World Cup player was absent from the club's opening day of pre-season training after seeing his contract at Ashton Gate come to an end.
Despite struggling to establish himself in Johnson's first team last term, the former Middlesbrough player became the first City player to appear in a World Cup finals this summer.
His performances impressed outgoing Socceroos boss Guus Hiddink, with the Dutch tactician urging the 24-year-old to find a new club in a 'proper league'.
The former Latvia and Yeovil Town boss gave Wilkshire his best wishes for the future.
"He has not reported back for pre-season training, but I didn't expect him to as he's probably busy trying to find a new club and he doesn't need us to do that," Johnson said.
"I was disappointed to hear Guus Hiddink's comments, but we thank him for his efforts and congratulate him on being the first Bristol City player ever to play at the World Cup finals.
"It will be interesting to see which 'proper league' he ends up playing in, but we wish him all the best for the future."
