Millions riding on Knight decision - Marc IlesZAT Knight could save Wanderers millions if he decides to stick around for a season in the Championship.
We should find out this week whether the big defender intends to sign a new deal at the Reebok, or whether he chooses to follow Nigel Reo-Coker and Jussi Jaaskelainen out of the door.
Although his relationship with Whites fans suffered significantly last season, as he struggled to find form at the foot of the table, Owen Coyle is keen to keep some experience in the camp after losing or releasing some of his most influential players already this summer.
As the Whites have such a dearth of defensive cover, Knight would need to be replaced immediately.
And that would most likely mean a move for Leicester City’s £2.5m-rated Matt Mills, who would also command a similar salary.
But that could be money better kept in the bank as Coyle looks to invest in a midfield enforcer and a back-up goalkeeper in the next couple of weeks before turning his attention to the loan market and his allies in the Premier League.
There undoubtedly exists a section of the Wanderers support who remain unconvinced that Knight remaining with the club would be a step forward.
Certainly, the numbers from last season do not make good reading, with the Whites winning only five of the 25 games he started.
Most of those games were played alongside Gary Cahill, although his brief stint with David Wheater in January also failed to produce encouraging results.
He has played just once as a central defensive partner to Tim Ream, however, and as Wheater looks set to be out for much of the campaign to come, the American would most likely to be foil should Knight choose to stay.
Knight’s best form in a Wanderers shirt arguably came in the months Cahill spent on the sidelines after a blood clot was discovered and he often looked more at ease in the current England international’s absence.
The player himself looked destined to leave last month when interest from Cardiff and West Ham became public but sources close to him suggest he is giving the Whites offer of a reduced deal serious thought because he has forged such a good relationship with the backroom staff.
It is also understood he would like to end his playing days in the US, but that such a move is still at least a year away.
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