Gareth Hock has left Salford Red Devils with two-and-a-half years still to run on his contract, the club has confirmed.

The forward was recently handed a six-match ban for recklessly using his knees during a match with St Helens two weeks ago.

That was the latest in a long line of disciplinary problems for the 31-year-old, who received a seven-match ban last year for making deliberate contact with a referee, and was expelled from the England team in 2013.

Club owner Mouran Koukash put on Twitter: "Gareth Hock has left the club. I thank him for his services and wish him well and the very best for the future. 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 joined the team from Wigan Warriors in 2013.