Allen exit stumps Pompey

Rory Allen has fought a constant batte for fitness

Portsmouth striker Rory Allen has quit football to go and watch the Ashes cricket series in Australia.

Allen, Pompey's former record signing, sent in a letter of resignation after failing to show for training.

Allen told friends he was going Down Under to watch the Ashes.

Pompey chief executive Peter Storrie said:"We don't know where he's gone, he hasn't been seen.

"We assume he's gone to Australia."

We need to converse with him and he needs to sign forms

Pompey chief executive Peter Storrie

Allen's resignation and apparent retirement from football has been prompted by a frustrating battle with injuries.

Since former boss Alan Ball made Allen Pompey's first £1m player in the summer of 1999, he played just 10 first-team games.

His constant battle for fitness has seen him undergo eight operations on his ankles and knees.

Allen played for Pompey reserves at Plymouth on 30 October as part of his latest comeback bid.

The former Spurs striker scored in his last Pompey first-team appearnace in May 2000.

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Allen had less than eight months of his contract to run, and chief executive Storrie said: "We still retain his regstration and there is little more we can say until we actually talk to him.

"It would appear from his letter that it is Rory's desire to resign.

"But we need to converse with him and he needs to sign forms," Storrie told the club's official website.