Patrick Kisnorbo is released by Leicester City

Patrick Kisnorbo is the big-name casualty among the five senior players released by Leicester City today.

The out-of-contract Australia international ends a four-year spell at the Walkers Stadium, which culminated in a player- of-the-year award in 2007.

Also leaving are fellow Aussie Paul Henderson along with veterans Barry Hayles, Bruno N'Gotty and Marc Edworthy.

But it is 28-year-old Kisnorbo's departure which will reverberate most among members of the Blue Army.

Signed in July 2005, the former skipper failed to convince in midfield.

But he switched to centre-back and missed only six Championship games of the 2006-07 campaign.

But, as City were relegated to League One in 2008, Kisnorbo was ruled out for five months with cruciate damage to his left knee before returning only to damage his right knee.

He did indicate back in March that he would like to see out the rest of his career – but now he is weighing up his options.

Last week, Kisnorbo was linked with a move to Crystal Palace and, in the past, has attracted attention from Birmingham and Ipswich.

Henderson is the other surprise inclusion on City's retained list.

The 33-year-old keeper started the League One campaign but soon lost his place to on-loan Liverpool man David Martin.

He then competed with Martin for the jersey before suffering a groin injury in the 2-1 victory at Scunthorpe on November 22 and missed the rest of the campaign.

The other senior players also released – Hayles, N'Gotty and Edworthy – are all on the wrong side of 35 with striker Hayles linked last week with a switch to League One Walsall.

Hayles, now 37, has been restricted to 10 starts and two goals and had two spells on loan at Cheltenham with ex-City boss Martin Allen.

Former Birmingham defender N'Gotty, also 37, made 34 starts for City before being loaned out to Hereford where he suffered a career-threatening Achilles injury.

Full-back Edworthy, 36, was brought in last November and made eight starts.