STEVE Jenkins insists he is not bitter about his County Ground exit and feels you have to be braindead' to take anything for granted in football.

The 33-year-old defender has been told he is surplus to requirements by new boss Dennis Wise, barely a fortnight after being offered a new deal by former manager Iffy Onuora.

Jenkins is disappointed but not entirely surprised by developments.

He said: "Of course I'm not happy about it but then that's football isn't it?

"I've been in this game long enough to know that you take nothing for granted.

"A new manager comes in and he's going to want to do his own thing, whether it be coaching staff or players. He'll want spaces in the squad that he can fill himself.

"I'm not going to start slagging people off or spitting my dummy out of the pram. I certainly don't hold any grudges.

"I won't be the first player in this situation and I'm sure I won't be the last.

"When Iffy left the club all the out of contract lads were obviously in limbo.

"I certainly wasn't naive or stupid enough to think that everything was sorted' in my case. I think you'd have to be braindead to assume anything is wrapped up unless the contract is signed.

"You move on in life. I wish the club all the best. There were other irons in the fire in the sense people had enquired about my situation as I know a lot of people in football.

"At least the picture is clear now and it's time for a new chapter.

"It's that old adage where one door closes, another opens' I suppose.

"I feel good and people are playing until 37 or 38 with no problems these days.

"I've enjoyed my time at Swindon Town. It's certainly been an eventful club to be at.

"I'll be watching with interest to see how things develop next season."

While Jenkins is now looking for a new club, striker Jamie Cureton's County Ground exit visa has been all but rubber-stamped.

Town have now received an official written letter from the player requesting a transfer, exercising the clause in his contract enabling him to leave on a free transfer following the club's relegation to League Two.

Cureton revealed to the Swindon Advertiser last week that he was mulling over a two-year offer from a club in a higher division and that he anxious to play as high as he could for as long as he could.

Championship new boys Colchester United are close to completing a deal for the 30-year-old.