Gareth Hock leaves Salford Red Devils after six-match ban

Gareth Hock represented England between 2008 and 2012

Salford Red Devils forward Gareth Hock has left the club after his latest disciplinary problem.

The former England player was banned for six matches for twice using his knees against opponents in Salford's 52-6 defeat by St Helens on 12 February.

The 31-year-old signed a four-year deal in September 2013.

"Gareth Hock has left the club. I thank him for his services and wish him well and the very best for the future," club owner Marwan Koukash tweeted.

"Whatever you think of Gaz as a player, he is a very nice person and did deserve all the help he got and will get off me."

Hock was penalised for a tackle on Tommy Makinson in the 53rd minute and then sin-binned for a repeat offence on Mose Masoe in the 61st minute of the Super League encounter at home to St Helens.

Hock served a two-year suspension in 2009 after testing positive for a prohibited substance while playing for Wigan.

The Wigan-born player was also expelled from the England squad before the 2013 World Cup following "serious breaches of team discipline".

He received a seven-match suspension in 2014 for making deliberate physical contact with a referee in Salford's match against Hull, and was given five-match and four-match bans for committing similar offences in 2008 and 2013.