GILLINGHAM released David Perpetuini on Thursday prompting player-manager Andy Hessenthaler to say it was “one of the toughest decisions” he has had to take.

The 25-year-old midfielder, who suffered a cruciate knee ligament injury on December 28, was given three games this season to prove himself after this contract expired in the summer.

Hessenthaler said: “David’s been on a month-to-month contract, time we gave him to show he was worthy of a longer contract. Unfortunately, he has not made much of an impression and I felt he was not giving us enough.”

Perpetuini, who signed from Watford at the start of the 2001/02 season for £100,000, made 97 appearances for the Gills in all competitions, scoring five goals.

“He is a good lad who did well for this club. It was just unfortunate that he picked up such a bad injury,” Hessenthaler added.

“However, I felt that with the way results have been going we needed changes and bringing in Adam Nowland on loan from West Ham would have pushed him even further down the pecking order.

“And if by David moving on, it gives me a chance of bringing someone else in, then that’s the way it has got to be, but it’s one of the toughest decisions I have had to make as a manager.”

One player going nowhere at the moment is goalkeeper Jason Brown. He surprised the club on Thursday by handing in a transfer request.

His personal website claims his “relationship with the management of the club is not healthy” but Hessenthaler disagrees.

Brown denies acting petulantly, stating he gave up his summer to get fit for the club after a thigh tear but feels after the bad run, which has seen the side concede 20 goals in 11 league games he should get a chance.

He said: “No disrespect to Steve Banks, he’s come in and has not let anyone down, but it’s got to the point that my frustration and disappointment is affecting my life away from the club.”

But Hessenthaler added: “Nobody leaves this football club unless myself or the chairman think it’s the right decision at the right time. All Jason has to do is keep working hard and take his chance when it comes.”