ShrewsWeb can reveal that striker Andy Cooke has left the club by mutual consent.

Cookey has been missing for that last couple of weeks after picking up a knee injury and Town manager Paul Simpson had decided not to offer him a new contract for next season. Simpson sat down with Cookey and they decided it was best that he rested up and looked to next season instead of pushing himself to get fit for the remainder of Town's games.

Paul Simpson revealed the news to ShrewsWeb and explained the reasoning behind the decision: "We are in that stage of the season where we are going to be making decisions on players.

"Cookey has been out injured for the past couple of weeks with a knee problem but fortunately he got a few games in when I first took over. I had made the decision that I wasn't going to offer Andy anything at the end of the season.

"I think he is a very good player and one of the senior players so out of respect for him I thought it was only right that I should speak to him early and let him know that he wasn't going to get a contract.

"We've agreed a settlement on his contract which will now allow him to go away, let his body settled down a little before he starts to build his fitness up to try and get himself fixed up for next season.

"We all wish Andy the best, he's a good pro and I genuinely think that he has a role that he can play for a club but I don't see that role being involved in our first team for next season."

The departure of Cookey removes one of the striking options but Simpson feels there are enough options for the final three games: "We've got Hibbert, Madjo, Constable, Marc Pugh has been playing up there, I think Michael Barnes could play up there at a push so we do have options.

"With Andy it was a case that we don't really know how long it is going to take him to get fit so I thought it was best in both our interests to agree a settlement.

"It's not been a problem having Andy around but when I say we are short of having senior players around it's a shortness of senior players on the pitch.

"Hopefully the players who are left here will get their opportunity and show me that they deserve to stay here and have a future to play in our first team."

Today's news shows that Simpson is beginning to look towards planning for next season. Sunday's win over Wrexham all but assures Town's League 2 place and the Town manager called on his players to show him they deserve a place in the side next season: "I am starting to look towards next season following Sunday's result, although it is not mathematically certain I think it is fair to say we are as good as safe, and I need to concentrate on players who I need to make a decision and players who I know will be here for next season.

"The three games coming up gives us that opportunity but we want to get a result at Mansfield in respect for the other teams around the bottom and for our fans who will pay good money to make the journey.

"We will go about it in the right way and as I keep saying I hope the players who are involved will go out there and prove that they deserve to stay.

"There are some quality players in there but I do believe that the side has under achieved this season.

"Now it is up to me and the other staff to go and put a squad together that we believe can compete at the right end of this table."

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