Mick McCarthy’s Stephen Ward poser
Wednesday 26th May 2010, 9:30AM BST.
Stephen Ward believes Wolves boss Mick McCarthy will have a selection dilemma at left-back next season.
Ward and George Elokobi shared the duties last season, with the pair both playing 22 Premier League games including substitute’s appearances, although the Irishman edged the starts 18 to 17.
The impending £2.5million arrival of Jelle van Damme from Anderlecht will further intensify the level of competition, in an area where Wolves also have England age group players Scott Malone and Jamie Reckord, as well as Matt Hill, competing further down the pecking order.
Ward believes the race is primarily between him and Elokobi at the moment.
He said: “George did well and I felt like I did well too and, if we’re both fit and ready to go after pre-season, it will be up to the gaffer as to who plays.
“It’s good the gaffer’s got a couple of options and maybe even more with any new players.
“Whoever ends up playing in the position, we’ll all be striving to help the team stay up again.
“I think we shared the position throughout the season and ended up playing a similar amount of games.”
Ward first switched to left-back when Elokobi ruptured his cruciate knee ligaments in August 2008 and was virtually an ever present in the Championship-winning season, only losing his place to the Cameroon-born defender when injury struck him as well.
And the Irishman admits he did not kick as much as he wanted last season because of his knee injury.
He said: “In the first season I played left-back I learned a lot. Last season I probably couldn’t kick on as much as I’d have liked with the setback and the fact that when I came back after the infection, my knee didn’t feel right.
“I’d never use that as an excuse though and felt I’d done as well as I could.
“That can only be a positive for myself and hopefully for the club.”
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