Striker Malcolm released after six months at St Albans City

Michael Malcolm has been released by St Albans City.

The front man was deemed expendable following the arrivals of Billy Medlock and Louie Theophanous during the summer.

Malcolm joined the Saints in January 2015 and scored on his debut against Concord Rangers. After impressing in a three-pronged attack with John Frendo and Jamal Lowe, both of whom have also left, the goals dried up and he ended the season with four.

“If we’re going to bring players in then we have to release others because we haven’t got the biggest budget,” explained joint manager James Gray.

“We felt Michael’s game time would be limited with the signings we’ve made.”

He added: “He did really well for us, although he never established himself as a centre forward and had to do a lot of hard work as a left midfielder last season.”

Trialists Rod Young and Greg Ngoyi have left without contracts.

Young, who started at Norwich City and spent time on loan at Bishop’s Stortford, played six games, including two starts, for the Saints and scored one goal.

Former Saint Ngoyi was out of football for the majority of last season, appearing a handful of time for Harrow Borough, and was invited back for pre-season. He failed to score four games this summer.

He was offered a dual registration deal, but that has been withdrawn after the striker went ‘AWOL’.

“I knew he wasn’t going to be ready for the start of the season so I tried to get him dual reg-ed out to get game time,” explained Gray.

“He’s taken it upon himself to go AWOL so he’s out of the picture.”

Trialists Kieran Bishop and Billy Gibson are still in with a shout of earning deals, although Gray admitted he would have to shake up the squad to make room.

“I’ve told Bish that I don’t think he’ll be in with a shout of starting many games. He could be an impact player but we would have to do things in the budget,” he said.

“Billy hasn’t done himself any harm with his performances but we’re going to have to make a decision on one or two others if we are going to bring him in.”