Southend United have terminated the contract of striker Michael Ricketts.
The former England international joined the Championship club from Leeds United during the summer but struggled to make an impression after picking up an Achilles injury at Great Wakering Rovers during pre-season.
That sidelined the 28-year-old forward for more than two months and reduced him to making just two substitute appearances for the Seasiders first team which totalled up to just 43 minutes.
Ricketts slow recovery and inability to work his way back into shape are believed to have frustrated the Roots Hall hierarchy who have now torn up the remainder of his contract which still had two and a half years left to run.
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