SOUTHERN LEAGUE

DARREN Perrin hopes the imminent departure of defender Andy Robertson will finally end the budget cuts at Hardenhuish Park.

The Bluebirds boss has been forced to axe four members of his squad this season and Robertson is expected to follow suit.

The versatile defender, who signed from Weston-super-Mare in the summer, has been given permission to talk to other clubs after being placed on the transfer list.

Should Robertson leave he will become the third of Perrin's summer signings to fly the nest, along with Steve Jenkins and Danny Maye.

Perrin has also released Nick Stanley and Matt Rawlins this campaign, while Josh Jefferies left on the eve of the season.

He said: "I hope Andy will be the last to go, otherwise I might have to put the boots on again, and nobody wants to see that.

"I spoke to Andy this week and explained to him that the decision was down to budget cuts.

"Andy is not just a good footballer but also a good friend, which made the decision very difficult for me.

"We are both disappointed, but Andy has not played as much football as he would have liked. With Ross Adams doing well at right back his chances were always going to be limited."

Robertson is under contract at Chippenham until the end of the season, but Perrin expects him to follow Maye's lead and rip up his contract when he finds another club.

The 22-year-old has already attracted interest from Taunton Town and could seal a switch to Wordsworth Drive in the next few days.

Said Perrin. "If Andy wants to stay here then that's up to him because he has a deal until the end of the season.

"But he is someone who loves his football and I'm sure he won't want to sit around on the bench."

Meanwhile, Perrin has denied rumours linking Paul Milsom with a move away from the club.

Milsom was the subject of a loan bid from Weston-super-Mare earlier this month, prompting the burly centre-half to think he would be the next to leave.

Milsom said: "Spud (Ian Herring) pulled me to one side after the game at Hillingdon on Saturday to say he'd heard I was about to join Weston.

"I knew nothing about it, but over the weekend I got a load of phone-calls from friends and other players asking the same question.

"I knew the club were looking to off-load another player so when I heard the rumours I thought that player was going to be me.

"But now I hear Andy is leaving so I guess that means I'm staying after all. Chippenham is a big club and I'm really happy here."

Perrin confirmed the Seagulls had made an approach to take the former Bristol City man to the coast, but the move had been rejected.

He said: "Paul Milsom is not going out on loan anywhere. Weston inquired last week about the chance to take him but we said no.

"I'm not sure where the rumours that he was about to sign for them came from, but I can tell you they are certainly not true."