Colchester United's promotion-winning captain Richard Wilkins has been forced to quit the game through injury.

The popular 34-year-old U's skipper saw a specialist on Thursday night and was advised to bring a halt to his playing career with immediate effect.

"It's a massive blow to me because in my heart of hearts I wanted the specialist to tell me I could carry on playing," said a subdued Wilkins on Friday.

Equally effective in midfield or defence, he has been struggling with a serious neck injury since the 2-1 win at Oldham last November.

That kept him sidelined for ten weeks and after returning to action as a last-minute substitute in January in the home win over Bournemouth he was forced out of action again during the U's goalless draw at Scunthorpe at the start of this month.

A great ambassador in his two spells with the club, Wilkins confessed it would not be easy knowing he would not be involved in League or cup action again.

He said: "I don't want to say too much about it until I've talked things over properly with the club. It's very difficult to come to terms with at the moment and obviously I'm very disappointed it's ended this way.

"It would have been nice to have carried on playing, but my long-term health is more important and I know it's the right thing to do because I'm still suffering a lot of pain."

Wilkins added: "When football has been your life, decisions like this are very hard to swallow.

"But it has been a great four years at the club this time round and I know it's better for me to go out with the fans remembering me for being a good player than for being an old wreck only able to play the occasional game.

"At least I went out on a high note in front of our home fans, playing against Burnley's former England striker Ian Wright."

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