By Aston
March 23 2006

Ipswich Town defender Gerard Nash has joined league one side Southend United on-loan for a month.

The 19-year-old defender has been told he will not be getting a new contract when his current deal expires in the summer and has joined Southend on a month long loan.

 

Town manager Joe Royle: “It's never easy to tell a young player that we are releasing him and particularly in this case because Gerard is a smashing lad, Southend have been on the phone and want Gerard there for a month on loan and he's decided to join them.

 

“Nashie has been a victim of circumstances. He's had two big knee operations and it just came to a time when we had to make a decision on his future here.

 

“Chris Casement has come through but it's not his progress that has prompted our decision alone.

 

“I've looked at it and told Gerard that it was going to be hard for him to break into the first-team and on that basis, it's right that he should have the opportunity to build a career for himself elsewhere.

 

“He's been on loan at Hartlepool and showed he can play at that level and I wish him every success in the future and I hope he goes on to enjoy a great career and proves us all wrong.

 

“As I said, it was a very hard decision to make. He's a champion and if he was my son I would be proud but I'm paid to make hard decisions.”

 

Nash made his debut for Town against Burnley in 2003 but his career has been hampered by two cruciate injuries and knee surgery.

 

Source: Ipswich Town – the official website.

 

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