WAYNE Thomas has played his last game for Worcester City after leaving the club to take up a coaching role in America’s Major League Soccer.

The veteran centre-half, who has been with Worcester since January 2014, is joining the staff at the New York Red Bulls, who play in the competition’s Eastern Conference.

City have agreed to cancel the 35-year-old’s contract with immediate effect and he is due to fly to the United States later this week.

Thomas has been an integral part of City’s defence and manager Carl Heeley paid tribute to his professionalism.

“Wayne is at the back end of his football career and he’s had an opportunity to take a coaching role with New York Red Bulls through their academy set-up,” the City boss said.

“He asked me if we would release him from his contract early and obviously I’m going to do that.

“It’s a wonderful opportunity that he couldn’t turn down and it’s fully deserved.”

Heeley continued: “We needed an experienced central defender last season.

“Wayne came in, he was immense for us and you cannot underestimate just how influential that man has been for this club.

“He goes with our best wishes and I would like to publicly thank him for his immense contribution to Worcester City.

“When we went to places like Coventry City and Scunthorpe, it was a new experience for me and Wayne was very helpful to me, Matt Gardiner and John Snape because he had been through it many times.”

Meanwhile, Danny Jackman faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines after suffering a nasty-looking ankle injury.

The Worcester-born midfielder, 32, fell awkwardly during the second-half of Saturday’s 4-1 victory at Solihull Moors in Vanarama Conference North and needed to be carried off on a stretcher.

Although the full extent of the damage is not yet known, Heeley is not expecting to have the former Kidderminster Harriers player available for a while.

The Worcester manager said: “His ankle buckled under him.

“Whether it’s a break or ligament damage, I don’t know but the ankle doesn’t look great.

“I wish him a speedy recovery and let’s hope it’s not as bad as first feared.

“It would have been easy to feel sorry for ourselves then because it’s like the world’s against us at times with the injuries and to lose a player of Danny’s quality is a sickening blow.

“But the boys just kept going and they got their just rewards at the end.”

Jackman joins an injury list that also includes centre-half Aaron Brown, who missed the Solihull victory with an ankle problem.

Left-back Tyler Weir (foot), midfielder Connor Gater (groin), keeper Nathan Vaughan (foot) and striker Michael Taylor (hamstring) are also sidelined.

City host Fylde at Aggborough tomorrow night (7.45pm) and then entertain Barrow on Saturday (3pm).

The two visitors are battling for the Conference North title.