GARY Holt has left his role as Colchester United player-coach after less than two months at the club.

Stuart Watson

GARY Holt has left his role as Colchester United player-coach after less than two months at the club.

The former Scotland international was brought to the Essex club by former manager Paul Lambert in the summer and has reached an agreement with new boss Aidy Boothroyd to end his contract.

The 36-year-old defensive midfielder - who played under Lambert at Wycombe Wanderers - has now been linked with a return to former club Norwich City to link up again with his former boss.

Boothroyd said: “Gary came to see me and said that he thought it would be best for both parties for him to move on.

“I know Gary from out time at Norwich (Boothroyd was youth team coach at Carrow Road for two years) and there was no animosity, I respect his decision.

“We have parted on good terms and I wish him well for the future.”

Holt was brought to Colchester primarily to work with the youth team, but also to provide back-up as a player. He featured during pre-season but failed to make a league appearance.