Fulham goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer has contradicted claims made by manager Martin Jol that he has been offered a new deal at Craven Cottage.
Jol insisted last Friday that the 40-year-old, who is out of contract at the end of the season, had rejected an offer of an extension from the club.
But Schwarzer says no proposal has been made in writing and stipulated that he would need assurances of his status as Fulham’s No 1 if he was to commit his future to the club.
Possible final game: Swansea's tries to shoot past Fulham goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer, who has denied being offered a new deal at the club
Assurances needed: Mark Schwarzer wants to be Fulham's undisputed No 1 goalkeeper but manager Martin Jol has suggested he will have to fight for his place
Speaking after his man-of-the-match performance in the 3-0 win over Swansea on Sunday, Schwarzer said: ‘That may be my last game for Fulham.
'Obviously I am out of contract and as yet I have had no official offer of a new deal contrary to reports.
‘I still want to play in the Premiership and still believe I have the ability to do it. It would be nice to stay at Fulham. But the bottom line is I have to find a club that believe in my ability.’
It’s understood that Jol is reluctant to give Schwarzer such assurances with 27-year-old David Stockdale waiting in the wings.
Waiting in wings: David Stockdale is Fulham's back-up goalkeeperCountry boy: Mark Schwarzer wants to play at the next World Cup for Australia and says he needs regular first-team football to achieve his goal
Jol suggested on Sunday that Schwarzer might have to soften his stance, saying that ‘even (Dimitar) Berbatov has to compete’ for his place.
But Australia international Schwarzer added: ‘I still have the hunger and desire to play at the highest level and my plan is to definitely play another year. I want to go to another World Cup.
To do that I need to be playing regularly and if that means I have to go elsewhere I will go elsewhere.
‘I love playing in the Premier League. I have been here for a long time and I love playing week in week out in this competition. I rate it as the best league in the world.’
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