Knee injury forces Dagenham & Redbridge midfielder forced to call time on his career, aged just 28.

Dagenham & Redbridge midfielder Stuart Thurgood has announced his retirement from professional football, at just 28-years-old.

The combative ace proved a hit with the Victoria Road fans last season, but was injured in a game against Rochdale in November.

Later scans revealed tears in his knee cartilage and the former Grays Athletic star has not played at all in 2010.

After four subsequent operations failed to cure the problem, he has now been forced to admit defeat in his battle to launch a comeback.

“My last operation wasn’t long ago and it was just a case of resting it and straight leg raising really,” said Thurgood.

“That builds the muscle back up but my knee isn’t getting any better.”

See Wednesday’s Barking & Dagenham Post and Thursday’s Recorder for full details of the decision and reaction from Daggers boss John Still.