11.00am
Injured New Zealand Warriors hooker PJ Marsh was today granted a release from the National Rugby League club with a year remaining on his contract.
A club spokesperson said the former Queensland State of Origin representative approached Warriors management about getting an early release.
Marsh, who joined the Warriors in 2002
from the Parramatta Eels, has been sidelined since dislocating the verterbrae in his neck in a round 14 game against the Eels in 2003.
Subsequent fusion surgery shortly afterwards proved unsuccessful. Marsh underwent a second fusion procedure earlier this year but the results will not be known until later this year.
Marsh and his wife, Kelly, are returning to Sydney for the birth of their first child.
"I have enjoyed my time in Auckland as I have played my best football here. I went on to play in a Grand Final and played State of Origin for Queensland from the Warriors," Marsh said in a statement.
"The support and friendship of the fans and players will be very much missed by Kelly and myself. Kelly and I are looking forward to the birth of our baby in September and hopefully the doctors have good news for my neck injury later in the year as well."
Marsh and his manager, Jim Bannighan, had been discussing an early release with the Warriors for some weeks.
He and his wife fly out for Sydney today.
- NZPA
