The 36-year-old Heggs, who is expected to join either league rivals Redditch United or Conference National side Tamworth, hopes that Thomas will waive the seven days' notice of approach that would free him to sign for another club.
But manager Thomas was disappointed with the player's attitude after withdrawing from the squad on the morning of the match at Droylsden and insisting on a transfer. "No player is bigger than the club," stressed Thomas, who signed Heggs from the Lambs last summer in the hope he would provide the goals to take them to promotion.
Since his arrival the front-runner has bagged seven goals, the last being on December 30th in the 2-0 win over Moor Green when the Knitters were second in the table. However, a glitch in form since the turn of the year has seen the club slip down as far as eighth, although a four-match unbeaten run prior to the Droylsden setback hoisted them back into the top five.
"I'm annoyed. Carl was an important player for us and he has let me and his team-mates down," said Thomas. "He made it clear on the phone he didn't want to play for the club again so he's left and I don't care too much where he goes."