HEREFORD caretaker manager Yan Klukowski slammed midfielder Jack Holmes who has walked away from the Bulls after ‘not having the right mentality for a relegation scrap’.

The youngster signed from Halesowen Town in September on a dual-registration deal but has now returned to his former side.

Holmes was left out of Hereford’s side as they suffered a 2-0 defeat on Friday against Leamington, before texting Klukowski announcing his decision to leave.

"I received a text message from Jack on Friday evening after the game (Leamington defeat), saying he wanted to leave the football club," said Klukowski.

"He didn't think he had the right mentality to be in a relegation scrap and he wanted to go and play football because he needed to look after himself.

"It’s disappointing, but a player who has decided to look after himself rather than the group of players that he has fought for all season.

"I thought he had a duty to the club to stick around and maybe be that player that sparks us and got the points to keep us up, regardless of whether he's involved or not he still had a part to play.

"We wish Jack all the best, I think he'll regret that decision. At the moment we need players who when you are in the trenches you want certain people alongside you.”

Klokowski said his decision to leave Holmes out of the squad for the Leamington match was due to the youngster’s attitude in training.

He added: "He had to come out of the side because his work-rate wasn't to the desired level and that's why he wasn't involved against Leamington because he didn't train properly in the week.

"Tough decisions that I have to make as a manager but I’m doing it for the best of the group. We're in a precarious situation at the moment where we’re not safe so we have to have people who are committed to the football club and to the team.

“What we have seen today (against Brackley) is a team that are fighting for the badge, who haven’t down tools and are doing their best.”