Manning & Suarez head for the exit

Two more players have left Hastings United, according to the football club’s website.

After full-back Matt Whitehead was released at the weekend, defender Scott Manning and on loan striker Mikel Suarez have both departed The Pilot Field.

The aerially strong Suarez scored in all three of his home appearances for United, but has been recalled by parent club Tonbridge Angels slightly earlier than had been hoped.

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Manning has returned to Lewes, from where he joined United in December 2010. The versatile defender made 76 appearances for the U’s, many of them from the substitutes’ bench.

The club website reported: “In light of recent events, Scott was at pains to stress that he is departing on perfectly good terms and that he is genuinely grateful to everyone for their support over the last two and a bit years.

“Both he and Mikel leave with the club’s very best wishes for the future and with thanks for their contributions to the cause.”

Coming hot on the heels of Whitehead’s exit, the loss of Manning leaves United’s defensive options rather thin on the ground, especially with player-manager Sean Ray set to start a four-match suspension next week, pending the outcome of an appeal against his sending-off at Peacehaven & Telscombe last week.