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Wednesday, 10 February 2010

Australia News Ward: I'm Not Coming Back

OLYROO Nick Ward has again ruled out a return to the A-League despite admitting he barely talks to his boss at Queens Park Rangers.

Ward has been struggling to hold down a place at the club since joining two years ago and was loaned out to lowly Brighton last season.

This year he's back at the Loftus Road outfit, but has only been making rare appearances in the first team off the bench.

Instead he's been forced to play in the reserves - and despite impressing there, he still has no idea if his career will finally take off in the UK.

But despite the setbacks, Ward has firmly ruled out a return to the A-League where he made his name as young player of the year in the opening season with Perth Glory.

"I'm not planning to go back to the A-League at this stage," he told the UK's Kilburn Times. "It's just a matter of getting my head down and making the most of my chance when it comes.

"I think it can still work out for me at QPR. But, if not, I want to stay in Europe. If an opportunity comes up in January I'll look at it.

"I haven't had a good chat with the gaffer yet - when I have spoken to him I don't get a lot out of him and I really don't know whether I'm in his plans or not."

Adding to the 22 year old's frustration is his inability to get a spot in the team in his preferred midfield position.

"Since John Gregory's been at the club, he's never played me in central midfield, not once," said Ward.

"People can say what they like about me as a player but the fact is I've never played in my preferred position."

Coach John Gregory has tended to deploy Ward in one of Rangers' problem slots, on the right of midfield, or even as an emergency striker in the Carling Cup defeat by Leyton Orient.

Ward almost signed for Italian club Brescia during the close season but the deal collapsed at the last moment.

"I'd have liked to go to Italy - I went there for a couple of weeks and the football side of things went well, but there were issues with money and stuff like that and the move fell through," he revealed.

"I came back a lot sharper and feeling more positive, then I played in a couple of games for QPR and felt I did well. But that was it."

Now he just hopes to use his place in the Olyroos squad to keep his name in the headlines and either force his way into the QPR side or find a new club.

He added: "I think my form has been good with the Australian team.

"The coach, Graham Arnold, was very happy with me and said I was looking back to my best after losing my way a bit last year."

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