FORMER Forest Green striker Lee Hughes has left Kidderminster Harriers.

The 39-year-old is being chased by Vanarama National League and SkyBet Football League clubs as he looks to continue his playing career.

Hughes returned in January after an 18-year break when his contract at Forest Green Rovers was cancelled by mutual consent – taking a large pay cut in the process.

But with manager Gary Whild’s playing budget reduced by half to £250,000 for the 2015-16 season, the Harriers felt they could not offer the experienced goal-getter a new deal.

Hughes is currently training with Port Vale while he’s looking for a club.

He re-joined with Kidderminster still in the play-off hunt but financial instability derailed their efforts.

“I thoroughly enjoyed my time at Harriers, it’s a great club with brilliant fans,” Hughes told the Kidderminster Shuttle.

“It was unfortunate during my time there were problems behind the scenes, I’ve never seen players not get paid before. But I must say the manager was brilliant with me, he was honest and up front about the situation at the club and I respect that.

 “I would have loved to have stayed but there was never any offer on the table, I know the money situation at the club is tight.

“I definitely still feel I can go on playing and now I’ve come back from holiday I will see what offers there are.”

Striker Danny Wright, who Whild had been hoping to persuade to stay, has joined Cheltenham Town.