Louis John’s contract has been torn up after the defender and his agent’s unsuccessful attempt to renegotiate terms with Sutton United boss Paul Doswell.

The England C international becomes the second player to leave Gander Green Lane, albeit under very different circumstances, following Tom Bolarinwa’s move to League Two Grimsby Town.

Doswell has lined up potential replacements for Bolarinwa, but is satisfied with what is left of his central defence.

He said: “I sat down and spoke with Louis on Saturday, he and his agent wanted to negotiate a new deal, and I didn’t.

“It was disappointing because we thought Louis would be a player we could bring through and develop, but what it does do is leave him clear to find another club.”

He added: “We have Jamie [Collins], Dean [Beckwith] and Simon [Downer], so we have cover there.”

Bolarinwa’s move to Grimsby Town takes him closer to brother Moses, who plays at Hull City.

Doswell said: “It’s a great move for Tom, and it’s another badge of honour for us as a club.

“Players want us to do the same for them, they know playing well for Sutton can give them a pathway to League One or League Two football.

“Grimsby were excellent over the move and did everything properly – and we would never stand in the way of a player making a move up.

“Tom showed last season that he could play at a higher level, and I think he can progress even further.”

He added: “I am speaking to two potential replacements for Tom, both are at League Two clubs now, but they want a full season playing with us rather than being on the fringes of a league side.

“They want us to do for them what we did for Tom, so they’d be coming to United for all the right reasons.”

Meanwhile, Alex Wall continues to impress in training – the striker’s move from Bromley is on the proviso that he makes it through pre-season without a recurrence of a knee injury.

The pre-season fun gets under way this weekend when Fulham are the visitors to Gander Green Lane.