Wanted Ward plays waiting game

Ireland defender Stephen Ward admits his club career is up in the air, although there appears to be no lack of suitors for the left-back who spent last season on loan from Wolverhampton Wanders at Brighton.

The Wolverhampton-based Express and Star newspaper reported yesterday that Brighton are hopeful of signing the player on a permanent basis after he appeared 44 times for them in their run to the Championship play-off semi-finals.

Middlesbrough have also been linked with the Dubliner while there have also been suggestions of interest from the Premier League in the form of Sunderland as well as the newly-promoted Burnley.