Nigel Pearson has not ruled out both Jay Dasilva and Tomas Kalas staying at Bristol City with contract offers on the table but concedes they may have to reach a point where they look elsewhere.
Dasilva, 25, was left out of the matchday squad in the 2-0 victory over Queens Park Rangers but travelled with his team-mates to witness Mark Sykes and Sam Bell's goals to end the campaign on a high. At the end of the game, he waved at the 1,700 vocal City fans who chanted his name ahead of an expected departure at the end of his Robins contract next month.
Kalas, who has also yet to agree on an extension, was introduced on 63 minutes to make his first appearance since the injury picked up against Cardiff two months ago. His inclusion and added pitch time did offer some hope that the 29-year-old will extend his stay in BS3 for at least another year.
When asked whether that was a farewell from Dasilva at the end of the game, Pearson said: "He wasn't in the squad today just because of the balance of the squad but there's been a contract on the table and we'll see where that goes.
"Tomas Kalas was on the pitch today, and he hasn't been there since he got injured at Cardiff and he played really well against Manchester City.
"We've only had a small contribution (from him) but I was pleased that he got some pitch time today. We'll see where it goes. We've had some situations before, and Nathan Baker was a good example of that, where there was a decision that we were parting company but we came to an agreement later in the summer so I don't ever rule things in and out.
"It's important to have an open mind. I think Dasilva's had a really positive season himself and is a very popular member of the squad. We'll see where it goes. I can't give you a definitive answer at the moment."
Asked if there was also a contract on the table for Kalas, the City manager added: "There's been an offer and it's like anything. You try to protect your own stance and we as a club have to be mindful of all the financial issues that we've had and bearing in mind his availability this year has been low we'll just see where it goes.
"I don't really get involved in the financial side but you know my stance on that. My role is to have a football relationship with players but clearly, if discussions don't go well then we have to look for alternatives. That's just life and football I'm afraid."
If either Kalas or Dasilva commit their futures, then they will have to take pay cuts going forward to fall in line with City's wage structure. The club are after a left-back this summer with Joe Bryan possibly returning on a free transfer while AFC Wimbledon youngster Jack Currie is also an option.
Pearson was delighted with the professionalism his side showed against QPR - ending the season in 14th position and four points better off than last season. Sykes opened the scoring on 28 minutes when he crashed in Cam Pring's delivery before Sam Bell settled matters in the second half when he buried Joe Williams' cross.
"It's what we were trying to achieve today," Pearson added. "They can be quite dangerous games. I'm sure they wanted to finish on a positive note at home but it was important to retain our good standards in terms of our application.
"We did some really good things. We were a bit sloppy from time to time but I thought generally speaking the performance was good, a good energy and commitment.
"Everybody played their part, we got a chance to get the players on the pitch who haven't had much time. So it's a good outcome for us today.
"It's also good to experience that feeling with the fans at the end. Signing off with a positive note, a good following. I think our fanbase is excited with how this young team can move forward so we just have to get the additions right and see if we can shape the squad in a way in which we can be competitive and in the top half, looking to push onto the play-off places.
"There's no point setting standards low or trying and be too safe with predictions, we have to start delivering and the players are capable but we need to win games like today which could potentially go either way.
"We've been involved in a few games this year where we should have picked points up and we've not seen it through or sometimes lacked the killer instinct, so I'm pleased today."
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