Burton Albion's second bid for a remarkable Championship survival saw them fall just short.

It means Nigel Clough is preparing his side for a return to League One - and he is looking to keep the bulk of his squad together.

Three of the Brewers' six out-of-contract players are defenders, with Tom Naylor, Damien McCrory and Jake Buxton all offered new deals.

Here, we take a look at how the 2017-18 season went for every one of Burton's defensive players in a season when they conceded more Championship goals than any other club.

JOHN BRAYFORD

LEAGUE APPEARANCES: 28

John Brayford slides in to challenge Cardiff City's Junior Hoilett

SEASON REVIEW: After an outstanding 2016-17 season on loan with the Brewers, Brayford was soon back at the Pirelli Stadium on a permanent basis.

His second Championship campaign with Albion was not quite the success of the first, with mid-term injuries hitting in October and February to disrupt his involvement.

But Brayford remained a consistent and committed figure at the back, adding in his usual gravity-defying goalline clearances for good measure.

FINAL WORD: With another year left on his contract, Brayford is set to be an important defensive figure for the Brewers as they aim to bounce back from relegation.

STEPHEN WARNOCK

LEAGUE APPEARANCES: 14 (+ 13 for Bradford City)

Stephen Warnock picks out a pass to Matt Palmer

SEASON REVIEW: One of two summer signings from recently-relegated Wigan Athletic, Warnock featured primarily at left-wing-back in a 3-5-2 at the start of the season.

He scored in the home win over Fulham - his first goal in more than three years - but was caught out in the defeat to Wolverhampton Wanderers and gave away a late free-kick from which Ipswich Town beat Albion at the Pirelli.

The experienced Warnock's last outing for the Brewers came in November's loss to Sheffield United.

He then joined League One Bradford City on loan in January, before retiring from the game at the end of the campaign, having made more than 450 League appearances in his career.

FINAL WORD : Warnock has retired from the professional game and has already been doing media work on radio and TV.

KYLE MCFADZEAN

LEAGUE APPEARANCES: 42

SEASON REVIEW: Just as in 2016-17, McFadzean was a virtual ever-present at the back for Burton, partnering a variety of players at centre-half.

His indomitable spirit in defence was crucial to battling points won on the road, and he formed a successful pairing with Tom Naylor as the season wore on after mixed results in a back three.

His delivery with the ball was sometimes found wanting, but McFadzean retained his desire to push Albion onto the front foot.

Burton Albion defender Kyle McFadzean

FINAL WORD : McFadzean is under contract for 2018-19 and, after two successful seasons at Championship level, could prove a quality League One defender if he lines up for the Brewers in August.

BEN TURNER

LEAGUE APPEARANCES: 30

SEASON REVIEW: Turner was banned for the first five games of the season for misconduct and missed nearly two months towards the end of the season with a calf injury.

But whenever fit and available, the former Cardiff City man was a staple of the Brewers defence.

Turner was primarily used at centre-half, although he impressed in a late-season run at left-back too.

FINAL WORD: Turner featured for Coventry City in League in 2015-16 and would be a valuable asset to the Brewers at that level if Championship clubs do not look to give him a chance to stay in the second tier.

TOM FLANAGAN

LEAGUE APPEARANCES: 27

Tom Flanagan fights through blue shirts
Tom Flanagan fights through blue shirts

SEASON REVIEW: Flanagan began the season as a free agent after originally declining a contract offer from the Brewers last summer.

But he returned in August to sign a two-year deal, and would go on to make 27 League appearances across the campaign, primarily at left-back.

He enjoyed a brilliant run of form during Burton's festive purple patch, scoring his first two goals for the club and showing what a threat he could be in both directions.

His form did fade as the season drew to a close.

FINAL WORD: The Northern Ireland international does have another year on his Brewers deal. But Clough has made him available for transfer as he looks to streamline his squad - and budget - for League One.

DAMIEN MCCRORY

LEAGUE APPEARANCES: 11 (+ three for Portsmouth)

SEASON REVIEW : Struggling for a starting spot at the Pirelli, McCrory headed out on loan to League One Portsmouth on transfer deadline day in August.

His stint with Pompey, though, was decimated by a knee injury that required surgery and saw him play only three games for the third-tier side.

He returned to the Brewers in February after overcoming that problem, although other injuries would impact his influence at left-back during the final months.

FINAL WORD : Albion's current longest-serving player, McCrory has been offered a new deal, with his current contract set to expire next month.

TOM NAYLOR

LEAGUE APPEARANCES: 33

SEASON REVIEW: Having been a key central midfielder during his time at Burton, Naylor was pencilled in for a defensive role this season by Clough.

He was rarely included in the starting XI during the opening months of the campaign, but took his chance when it came in a 1-1 draw at Brentford in November.

Barring a spell back in the middle around Christmas - when he scored in the wins at Reading and Sheffield Wednesday - Naylor became a crucial component of the Albion defence, with his composure on the ball and pace to cover back proving vital during an impressive run of form.

Tom Naylor
Tom Naylor

He was voted as Brewers supporters' runner-up for player of the year.

FINAL WORD: Another out-of-contract defender, Albion will be keen to get the versatile Naylor signed up again. He has been offered a new deal, but there could yet be some interest shown in the ex-Derby man from elsewhere this summer.

JAKE BUXTON

LEAGUE APPEARANCES: 33

SEASON REVIEW: Returned to Burton Albion in the summer, eight years after leaving the club in the aftermath of their Conference title win, and took the captain's armband following John Mousinho's departure.

He was solid and unrelenting in some gritty away-day performances in the first half of the campaign, although Buxton, McFadzean and Turner, as a back three, were exposed for pace at times during Burton's poor sequence of results at home.

As Naylor and McFadzean became the first-choice centre-backs as the season wore on, Buxton's role became more of a finisher, brought off the bench late on to help see out victories or tight draws.

FINAL WORD: The third of Burton's defensive setup who has been offered a new deal. As with Naylor and McCrory, he is yet to confirm a decision either way on signing a new contract.

SHAUN BARKER

LEAGUE APPEARANCES: One

SEASON REVIEW: After making an incredible return from long-term injury in his Brewers debut against former side Derby County and a further four substitute appearances in 2016-17, Barker was expected to play a similar role in 2017-18.

But with his knee problem limiting his ability to play extensively in games, Barker would go on to make only one final outing for Albion before retiring at the end of the campaign.

Burton Albion's Shaun Barker
Burton Albion's Shaun Barker

It was a memorable one, though, with the ex-Rams skipper coming off the bench against his former side again in a 3-1 home win in April.

FINAL WORD: Barker confirmed he would be retiring in a press conference ahead of that Derby triumph. He has not yet decided on what direction to take after hanging his boots up.

TOMAS EGERT

LEAGUE APPEARANCES: Three

SEASON REVIEW : A unique story even by Albion's standards, Czech defender and University of Derby student Egert signed as a free agent in March after being recommended to Clough by Mickleover Sports boss John McGrath.

Egert arrived during a defensive injury crisis and made three substitute appearances against Wolves, Cardiff City and Derby.

With the Brewers taking their survival push down to the wire, he did not get the chance to start a game though.

FINAL WORD: Egert has been invited back to pre-season with the Brewers. Clough and his management team will assess him over the summer, with a view to offering the 23-year-old a deal.

JOHN MOUSINHO

LEAGUE APPEARANCES: One (40 for Oxford United)

SEASON REVIEW: Albion's popular captain, and a staple of the rise from League Two to the Championship, was a surprise deadline-day departure from Burton to Oxford United in League One.

Clough had utilised him as a right-back in pre-season and on the opening day against Cardiff City, suggesting Mousinho's opportunities in his favoured centre-half position would have been limited.

John Mousinho celebrates during Burton Albion's win at QPR in 2016/17

He went on to make 40 appearances for Oxford and is likely to face his former side in the third tier next season.

FINAL WORD: Mousinho will get a warm reception at the Pirelli Stadium when Oxford face the Brewers in League One in 2018-19.

JAYDEN COTTERILL

LEAGUE APPEARANCES: 0 (loan spells at Matlock Town and Romulus)

SEASON REVIEW: Cotterill signed his first professional deal last summer and featured heavily in pre-season.

With the season underway, he went out for loan spells at Matlock Town and Romulus in the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League.

The academy graduate has been released by the club.

FINAL WORD: Cotterill is now a free agent and will be looking at what step to take next in his young footballing career.

poll loading

Which defender was Burton's best this season?