Elliott Ward will have to remove a crucial clause in his contract if the defender is to play any further part in Notts County’s relegation fight.
Ward will automatically trigger a new one-year deal if he plays 20 games this season and made his 19th appearance for the Magpies as a substitute in the 1-1 draw at Crawley on Bank Holiday Monday.
With the club looking to clear the decks ahead of a takeover, and with Ward a significant earner, they are not keen to commit to another deal for the ex-Millwall player.
Ben Barclay's red card killed victory hopes for Notts County says Neal Ardley
But it has given manager Neal Ardley a headache after his centre-back options were further diminished with Ben Barclay now suspended for the remainder of the season following his red card against Crawley.
Injured duo Shaun Brisley and Richard Duffy are likely to miss the last two games leaving Pierce Bird and Sam Stubbs as the only available defenders.
Asked whether Ward would have to drop the clause in his contract to be able to play the last two games, Ardley said: “I think so.
“It will be something we have to have a chat about and see if he makes himself available for the next few games.
“I am sure he will, but we will see what happens.
“We’ve got injuries to Shaun Brisley and Richard Duffy while Sam Stubbs wheeled himself into the game on Monday and did a great job for us.”
Should Ward agree to waive the clause in his contract he will join Rob Milsom in doing so with the midfielder having agreed to drop a similar clause earlier in the season.
The former Rotherham midfielder, who rejoined the club from Crawley last August, will now be free to leave the club in the summer should he not be offered a new deal.
