The RFL

Castleford Tigers have continued the overhaul of their squad by parting company with four more players.

Peter Lupton, Mark Leafa, Ned Catic and Adam Fletcher were all out of contract at the end of the season and join Anthony Thackeray, Scott Moore, Brendan Hlad, Awen Guttenbeil, Luke Dorn and Stuart Donlan among the departures, with others still to follow.

The Tigers, who finished bottom of the table on their return to engage Super League, have made seven new signings for 2009 and say there will be more to come.

Coach Terry Matterson said: "We have thought long and hard when assessing the squad at the end of the season and, for differing reasons, some very tough decisions have had to be made.

"As is often the case, this means that some players who have served the club well have to be released.

"However, with the new players already signed up and more to come, we are confident that the make-up of the squad will give us every chance of climbing the table in 2009."

Lupton made 57 appearances since joining Castleford from Hull FC in 2006 while former Leigh prop Leafa spent two seasons with them.

Prop or second rower Catic looks set for a second spell in French rugby while winger Fletcher is returning to Australia after completing his second stint with the Tigers.

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