It seems unlikely that we will manage to snap Paul gerrard up permanently on a free pre-season unless he is wiling to take a significant drop in wages. It seemed just a little far-fetced that we would sign him before but with Kinnear making these comments it seems even worse.

"He is out of contract at the end of the season, but I understand one or two clubs are sniffing around," he said.

"I'd like to keep him, but cannot afford his salary. Maybe we can offer something similar over a longer period."

If darren Ward manages to get back to his best next season we should get by- but he is no match for Gerrard whom every aspect of his play is top notch (bar distribution) but Ward has more faults than that.

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