Rufus forced into retirement

'It wasn't to be'
The 29-year-old. who spent his entire career with Charlton, underwent an operation on his knee in the United States earlier this year but it was not successful and he has now called it a day. "I have worked so hard to recover from this injury but clearly it wasn't to be," he said. "It is going to take me a long time to come to terms with the fact I will not play for Charlton again."

'A credit'
The Premiership club's manager Alan Curbishley said: "He was a model professional and a credit to the club. He will be sorely missed. In my opinion, Richard is the best player in recent seasons not to gain an England cap."