Charlton confirmed on Wednesday afternoon that midfielder, Andy Hughes, had been released.

Hughes was one of a plethora of players brought to the club in the summer of 2011 by Chris Powell. Hughes never managed to nail down a regular starting berth during his three years at the club, but his brief spells in the team normally resulted in a run of good form.

In total, Hughes made sixteen starts and eighteen appearances from the bench in all competitions. The 2013/14 season was particularly frustrating for the tenacious midfielder as we was sidelined for nine months with an Achilles injury that requireded surgery.

Hughes has an enormous presence in the dressing room and will be sorely missed at The Valley and Sparrows Lane. He started to get involved in coaching last season and assisted Nathan Jones with the hugely successful Under-21 side.

Hughes is heading back to his family home in the Leeds area and will work towards getting his UEFA ‘A’ badge during the summer. He clearly has a bright future as a coach but wants, if possible, to play on for another year.

It is likely Hughes will get an offer of a playing contract but accepting a coaching job may already be in his mind. This quote, that he gave to the club’s website, may give a clue to his thinking:

“I am going to head back north, be with my family and try to find a club up here. If there isn’t a chance of a club, or a player-coach role, then I will look at coaching. I am doing my A-licence in the summer and I want to be as educated as I can.”

If Hughes does go into coaching, he may return to Leeds where he is still a big favourite. It is understood that the Yorkshire club could be interested in offering Hughes the job as coach to their Under-18 squad.