Yes, Diabate excluded from "Fringe" in OP for precisely this reason.
Rather like the word 'marquee,' the definition of what makes a 'fringe' player is not totally clear!
What is James Dodd's best position? Is he capable of being a replacement for MJ in the long-term?
I guess we need to judge Dodd in a competitive (not a friendly) game for City to make a judgement. There are a number of potential 'suitors' for MJ's position already with Jevani the obvious candidate and others have suggested Taylor? It would be good to hear from those who know Dodd's game on here or anyone who knows how well he has done out on loan? As for Atangana I think we can add him to the Seymour and Dyer list of almost certain players to leave category
Why do you say that? He was actually playing well before his injury, and although Tim Dieng has clearly got ahead of him in the pecking order since November, he'll presumably have a spot on the bench once fit again. If he can get back up to speed there is no reason why he shouldn't be retained, though maybe his age (32) will be a factor.
We have four other central midfield players on long-term contracts plus promising youngsters who will hopefully be challenging for the first team before too long. Therefore, it's hard to see where Nigel fits in.
JW, just a process of looking at the bigger picture as SEA as said. Notably room has to be provided for Kite if he is to get game time with so many central midfielders in our squad who will all be here next season (Kite, Dieng, Taylor, Archie and even Jay and Brown. If you factor in Dodd, Veale and Lilley coming through Nigel's days look limited
Of those, only Dieng and now perhaps Kite are direct competitors for a place with Atangana. The others are attacking rather than defensive or box-to-box midfielders.
Making room for Kite would be the reason Big Nige would be released not because of Tim Dieng. They are different types of player. The only things that Nige and Tim have in common is their height and they have French origins.