City release Hargreaves

Midfielder Owen Hargreaves has been released by Manchester City after his short-term deal expired.

The former England international, who has been plagued by injuries in recent years, joined Roberto Mancini’s side last August after leaving city rivals Manchester United.

He played just four times — but only once in the Premier League with a 13-minute appearance in October — and scored a solitary goal, in a Carling Cup victory over Birmingham.