CHERRIES manager Eddie Howe admitted his decision to release striker Charlie Sheringham had been a “really tough call”.

Sheringham, who endured an injury-ravaged 18-month stay at Dean Court, was told today he would not be offered a new contract by the club.

The 24-year-old joined Cherries from non-league Dartford in October 2011 before he was struck down by a serious injury just two months later.

He spent 14 months on the sidelines after fracturing a bone in his foot when he netted his maiden goal in the Football League during Cherries' 1-1 draw at Brentford on Boxing Day.

Sheringham, son of former England, Spurs and Manchester United star Teddy Sheringham, netted four goals during a productive loan spell with Dartford at the end of the season.

Howe said: “Through no fault of his own, Charlie was very unfortunate to sustain a serious injury just a couple of months after he had moved here and he missed a lot of football.

“Thankfully, he returned towards the end of this season and did really well during a loan spell with Dartford.

“We have reluctantly decided to let him go but it was a very tough decision. We just felt that following promotion to the Championship and with the current strikers we have in the squad, Charlie was probably not going to get enough game time.

“He was a pleasure to work with during our time here and we would like to wish him all the best for the future.”

Sheringham, who was restricted to just six appearances for Cherries, gave up a well-paid position with a firm of London brokers in the Futures market to try his luck in the professional ranks.

An FA Youth Cup winner with Ipswich in 2005, he failed to make the grade with either Crystal Palace or Charlton before joining Cherries after dropping into non-league.

He could be a target for Portsmouth, another of his father's former clubs.