McAULEY IN LIMBO OVER WBA FUTURE

GARETH McAuley has been left in limbo over his West Brom future but the defender still plans on continuing his career even if it i s away from The Hawthorns.

The 38-year-old Northern Ireland international’s deal with the Baggies is up next month and, after seven years with the club, he is in the dark over whether his current employers wish to extend his contract following their relegation to the Championship.

McAuley played j ust 456 minutes in West Brom’s disastrous top-flight campaign, a season after accumulating over 3,000 when they finished in the top half.

And he admits he was frustrated at his lack of opportunities under Tony Pulis, Alan Pardew and then Darren Moore.

“It’s been a difficult season – not having played an awful lot, it’s the first time I’ve experienced that in my career,” McAuley said.

“Obviously I’ m very frustrated as I thought I could have helped out more than I did.

“It’s out of your hands if you are not playing. Ending in relegation i s gutting, especially after the seven years I’ve had at the club.

“I want to play next year – I’ve not spoken to West Brom, or no-one has been in contact with me since the end of the season. I don’t know where that sits.

“I haven’t been told, ‘We want you there or we don’t want you’. I’m not sure what the club is thinking about me.”