NEALE Cooper yesterday shipped another player out of Victoria Park, when Jon Bass was released from his contract.

The right back has not been involved in a first-team game since the win over Oxford United on January 18 last year and has been a non-playing substitute just twice this season.

He was signed by Chris Turner in July 2001 after making 68 appearances for Birmingham. He played 20 times in his first season at Victoria Park, but started only 24 League games in total.

Bass, who signed a new contract last summer under then-boss Mike Newell, could forge a new career outside the professional game after recently graduating with an economics degree.

"I have enjoyed it here," Bass said. "I'm obviously disappointed and quite sad.

"The team spirit here is better than anywhere I've been before and it's hard to think I am not going to see those lads every day."

Kevin Henderson and Paul Arnison have both joined Carlisle, with Marcus Richardson moving to Lincoln. Cooper has also loaned Adam Boyd to Boston, Anthony Williams to Stockport and Mark Robinson to Spennymoor, while Marco Gabbiadini was forced to retire last month.

Jermaine Easter plays for Cambridge reserves today as part of a week-long trial at Abbey Stadium with a view to a permanent deal.

With skipper and right-back Micky Barron suspended from Saturday's trip to Barnsley, Cooper will be forced into a defensive reshuffle.

Hugh Robertson, signed last week from Ross County, will make his debut at left-back after last week's game with Luton was washed out, and Cooper also has defender Scott Walker in his ranks.

Former Pool defender Graeme Lee will miss Pool's trip to Sheffield Wednesday a week on Saturday. He is out for a month with stress fractures in his shins.