Unfortunately I see this as being key to Garbutt staying/going.
If Brian stays then Garbutt will certainly be away to force his way into a first team somewhere else.
If Brian goes then there is a direct path into the first team here.
I think a lot might ride on what exactly the Garbutt situation is at the moment. IF he's said Garbutt's going already then there's no reason to let Brian go, if not then at least there's something new to bring to the table.
For me, if it came down to a choice and assuming Bryan is fit I would prefer to keep him rather than Garbutt.
And I would suggest that but for the horrendous injury he had last season he might already be our first choice left back.
That couple of months toward the end of 2013 he played better than Baines has in the sixteen months since, IMO.