MARTIN Rowlands has played his last game for Colchester United.

U’s boss John Ward confirmed Rowlands’ imminent departure, during yesterday’s press conference ahead of tomorrow’s final game of the season at Notts County.

Rowlands signed for the U’s on a short-term deal at the end of January, after being released by QPR.

The 33-year-old veteran made a big impact during the first few weeks, starting six games on the trot.

But niggling injuries soon set in, and it is this recent poor record with injuries, which also blighted Rowlands’ later years at QPR, that has persuaded Ward to release him.

“Martin (Rowlands) won’t be fit for Notts County, so ‘no,’ I don’t think you will see him in a Colchester shirt again,” explained Ward.

“He has simply not played enough games for us. There have been three games that he has started, and not finished, and he has missed several others.

“He is a very good player, but I need players next year who will play a lot of games for us.”

However, Ward did reveal that he would love to sign Freddie Sears again next season, if he became available on loan from West Ham.