Simon Betts is back on the Colchester United transfer list almost a year to the day since he first asked for a move.

The disillusioned, out-of-favour defender revealed today that he has slapped in another transfer request which has been granted by U's boss Steve Wignall.

Betts said: "I actually lodged my request a week ago, but with the important FA Cup tie with Bedlington Terriers only days away I decided to keep it under wraps until after the game was played.

"I'm not going public with the news now just to put the manager down - he's already got enough flak to cope with following our defeat in the cup.

"I really made up my mind to ask for another move after Nicky Haydon was preferred to me for the game against Macclesfield two weeks ago as a replacement for Scott Stamps who was suspended.

"The writing was already on the wall as far as I was concerned having been made a bit of a scapegoat as the only player dropped from the side after our 4-0 drubbing by Burnley.

"I felt the gaffer could have dropped anyone after that game, but I was the only one axed.

"It is simply a situation where I felt I was never going to be given a chance to play again.

"And with Nicky and Scott clearly ahead of me in the pecking order, plus the fact that Richard Wilkins and Aaron Skelton are both likely to be back soon from injury, I felt the time might be right for me to move on.

"I played fairly regularly during the previous two seasons, including our Wembley play-off final against Torquay which I will always be grateful for.

"But this season I've played a couple of games, been out of the side for six, back for one and out for another six.

"That doesn't give any player much of a chance to adjust from reserve team football to achieve the consistency of performance - especially now we are playing in a higher division."

The unhappy 25-year-old former Ipswich Town apprentice, who came to Layer Road six years ago, said that as he now has a wife and a child to look after he is desperate to play first-team football.

"It saddens me to ask for a transfer because ideally I don't want to leave Colchester, but if I'm not playing it's no good to me."

Confirming that Betts has been granted a move, Wignall said: "Simon is now an experienced player with about 200 League and cup games under his belt and his name has already been circulated to other clubs.

"He's been as good as gold and not caused me a moment's bother since I've been with the club, but maybe a move will do him good."

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