Striker Joe Anyinsah has turned down the offer of renewed contract talks as he comes to the end of his current deal and has expressed a desire to move closer to his family base in Bristol.

Anyinsah, 25, signed an 18-month deal with United in the January 2009 transfer window having enjoyed a previous 3-month loan spell at Brunton Park towards the end of 2007.

United manager Greg Abbott explained: "Joe has told us that he would like to leave and we have to accept that.

"I'm disappointed with his decision but he wants to go and ply his trade elsewhere, and I have to respect his wishes.

"He's been away from home in Bristol for a long, long time and that has been the biggest influence on his choice today. If he was to turn up at Hartlepool or Darlington or somewhere like that in the near future then I would be very disappointed, but I don't think that will happen as I think he is ready for a move further south. It looks very likely that he will join a club somewhere down there.

"Joe has been magnificent for me. I think we've helped him in terms of his football development and I think he is going to be a terrific player in the future.

"When he is fit he causes a lot of problems for opposition defences, and I'm sure he'll go on to be a success.

"He's made his decision and we have to accept that, and we wish him well as he goes.

"His family is a long way away from here and I know he wants to be closer to them, and in circumstances like this you just take the disappointment on the chin. He has his reasons for the decision he has made, and I will always respect that."