Brett Seymour's attempt to revive his career has suffered a setback after he was released by Castleford.
The Australian scrum-half joined the Tigers on a trial period in the off-season, but he had been discarded without making a single appearance. Seymour had hoped to resume his Super League career with Castleford following his dramatic departure from Hull last April.
The 29-year-old had 18 months remaining on his contract with the Black and Whites when he was released following a failed attempt to commit suicide. The former New Zealand Warriors and Brisbane Broncos half-back admitted he had been battling depression as he entered rehabilitation with the Sporting Chance clinic.
Seymour was confident of making a fresh start with the Tigers, but he was not able to break into a strong team that remains unbeaten so far this season. Tigers coach Daryl Powell said: "We sat down and had a chat with Brett and came to a mutual decision that we would release him from his trial period.
"Our season has started pretty well and, with Marc Sneyd, Liam Finn and Jamie Ellis in front of him, it left him fourth in line. "We wanted to give Brett the best opportunity to get a club because with the way rugby league is at the moment, he just can't play it and that's disappointing but that's just the way it is.
"He has been fantastic while he has been here; he fitted in well and got on with the players and he has worked really hard. "It's disappointing for us and Brett that it hasn't worked out, but that's life sometimes and our excellent start to the season has made it more difficult for him to get in the team.
"I'm hoping that he will get a club in the near future and we wish him all the best."
Seymour had been linked with a loan move to Bradford but the Bulls are not permitted to sign overseas players after being placed in "special measures" and the dual-registration rules prevented him turning out with partnership club York.