Will Driver ©Nigel Stockley

Accrington have terminated the contract of professional Will Driver by mutual consent. Driver will need further surgery on a long standing shoulder problem which first surfaced when he was professional at Winton in 2009.

Due to an uncertain recovery period which will almost certainly mean that Driver will miss the early part of the 2011 season, Accrington will have to look for another professional.

New Accrington skipper Jimmy Hayhurst said: "It is a massive shame and a big disappointment that Will has had to pull out of the 2011 season. After such a successful year I was really looking forward to having him in the team again. I would like to thank him for his service to the club and wish him all the best for the future. I hope he has a speedy recovery. We now have to look forward to next year, and have the unenviable task of looking for a replacement. I hope we can act quickly and look at all the options within our budget and try to make the best signing possible for the team and the club."

It is a big blow for Accrington with Driver having made a successful transition as the club's professional with consist ant and reliable contributions with both bat and ball. In his one season as professional he made 834 runs at 36.3 with five half centuries and 103 against his former club Lowerhouse. He took 33 wickets with his off spin with his former side again bringing out the best in Driver as he took 6-66 at Liverpool Road.