SAINTS have released left back Lee Molyneux.

The defender had a year to run on his contract, but the decision has been made to let the 21-year-old go.

The Liverpudlian started his career at Everton before moving to Southampton under Jan Poortvliet in January 2009.

During his time at St. Mary's, he only made four appearances for Saints, and was last season behind both Dan Harding and Joseph Mills.

He spent part of the 2009/10 season at Port Vale on loan in League Two, but failed to make an impact there.

The recent capture of Ryan Dickson pushed Molyneux even further down the pecking order for the left back slot.