Gillingham players Ian Cox and Marvin Hamilton have left the club by mutual consent.

Cox, 37, who has been at Priestfield for five years, is out of contract at the end of the season but his chances of returning to the side looked remote.

Manager Mark Stimson recalled the defender to the side for the trip to Hartlepool but the club captain failed to impress as the side crashed to a 4-0 defeat.

At the time, Stimson said: “With all his experience and know-how of the levels he’s played at, he would probably admit he’s not had his best game.”

Cox played more than 150 games for the Gills since signing from Burnley in 2003.

Hamilton made just six appearances for the club this season.

The 19-year-old has only appeared once since Stimson has been manager during the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy game against Dagenham in November.

Hamilton recently returned from a loan spell with Folkestone.

He is free to join a club lower than the Blue Square Premier for the remainder of the season.