‘THIS IS TOUGH TIME TO BE FREE'

LEFT IN LIMBO: Robbie Tinkler has yet to be offered a new deal after a year-long spell at Aldershot Town

- Mark Carruthers

FREE AGENT Robbie Tinkler has opened up on the challenges facing out of contract players this summer.

The north-east based former England C international faces an uncertain future with talks to secure a new deal at Aldershot Town currently stalling.

The 24-year-old fears that the effects of the coronavirus pandemic could put many other out-of-contract footballers in the same boat with clubs battling financial pressures placed upon them.

Tinkler was commenting on claims by one agent this week that as many as 1,400 free agents from the Premier League down to Non-League are currently looking for new clubs as the 2020/21 season draws ever closer.

The former Gateshead and Middlesbrough defender is now left in limbo after his one-year deal at the Shots ended in June.

A number of Football League, National League and Scottish clubs have expressed an interest in acquiring his services – but Tinkler is yet to receive any firm offers and fully accepts that the power. now lies in the hands of the clubs.

Pressure