ROY ESSANDOH’S dream of a return to full-time football with Gravesend has been dashed by his release.

The club’s 29-year-old top scorer was the highest profile casualty when manager Liam Daish announced his retained list.

After scoring twice in the Fleet’s 3-0 win at Farnborough last month, Essandoh expressed excitement at the prospect of returning to the full-time game having previously played for Motherwell, East Fife and Wycombe.

He said: "I work at a sports centre so it would be easy for me to make a return to full-time football, which I would welcome."

Also leaving Stonebridge Road are defender Nathan Bunce, winger Moussa Sidibe, who spent the last month of the season at Welling, and goalkeeper Paul Wilkerson.

Daish has agreed new deals with Lee Protheroe, Ben Surey, Jimmy Jackson and Player of the Year Justin Skinner.

He also added: "I’m talking to a player and a new signing could be imminent."

The Fleet have been strongly linked with Welling midfielder Danny Slatter.