Appleton Forced Into Retirement

The 27-year-old, a £750,000 signing from Preston, suffered a ruptured posterior knee ligament in a training ground accident in November 2001 and, despite three operations has failed to recover from the injury.

Albion boss Gary Megson told the club's official website: "This is one of the saddest days I've had as a manager. Football can't afford to be losing a player of his ilk.

"Seeing any player have to finish his career through injury is a huge blow but losing a player with the character of Michael is a massive, massive blow."