FC CLACTON stalwart Lee Peacock is set to miss next season.

The defensive rock is going travelling and unlikely to feature in the Seasiders’ Thurlow Nunn League campaign.

The centre-half plans to be away for a year – heading first to Asia and then on to New Zealand.

“I’m absolutely gutted not to be a part of the team next season, as I really think we’re going to push on,” he said.

“But I had an opportunity to travel with my best pals and didn’t want to turn it down.

“You have to do these things while you’re still young.

“If all goes to plan, I’ll be out there for a year so won’t be around at all next season.

“Having said that, I don’t know what’s going to happen and it could be that I’m home again after a few months.

“I’ve told (manager) Dave (Coyle) I’ll keep in touch and let him know my plans.”

“I’m going to factor without Lee,” said Coyle.

“Any games we get out of him will be a bonus, but he’ll be a huge loss because he’s been outstanding in the last three or four months.”

Clacton could also be about to lose another of their regular defenders.

Parris Newland could only play a bit-part role as he is moving to Hertfordshire.