Stock on move to resurrect ambitions

DONCASTER Rovers captain Brian Stock still wants to play international football for Wales – but admits he is likely to do it while with a new club.

Stock has decided to quit Rovers after failing to reach agreement on a new deal and his decision will alert a string of clubs, including Leeds United, Southampton and Swansea City.

The former Preston North End midfielder, 28, has played a key role for Rovers over the last four years but was axed by manager Sean O'Driscoll five games ago.

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Stock withdrew from the Welsh squad ahead of last night's Euro 2012 qualifier against Bulgaria but told caretaker-manager Brian Flynn that he had no desire to retire from international football.

Speaking to the Yorkshire Post, Stock said: "I have not signed a new contract and it looks like I will have to find a new club. I wanted to stay but myself, my agent, the club – we cannot agree and it looks very unlikely that we will agree.

"My family is settled in this area and my kids in school but football is a short career and I have got to think about my family more than anything long term."

Rovers recently awarded new long-term contracts to Martin Woods, James Coppinger and James O'Connor but Stock, who played previously under O'Driscoll at Bournemouth, was unhappy with terms he was offered.

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"Negotiations have broken down and that's not through my lack of wanting to stay," he said. "I was prepared to commit to the club but now I am keeping my options open. I have a family to look after and if it means me having to leave to get a contract, I will have to do that."

Stock won his first cap for Wales against Russia just over 12 months ago but has made only two subsequent appearances due to back trouble.

Flynn's temporary appointment as Welsh manager followed the departure of John Toshack and signalled a fresh start for all involved but Stock had confirmed his withdrawal by the start of the week.

"I had a really long chat with Brian Flynn and agreed that I would pull out," he said. "It was a difficult decision and there were a couple of reasons, some personal, but I still want to play for Wales, without a doubt.

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"He totally understands my situation and says he will not rule me out in the future. Brian is a great bloke who deserves his chance as national boss. I have spoken to a few players who have worked with him before and all say that he gets the best out of you.

"There was no point linking up with Wales if I was not in a position to give my all," stressed Stock.

"I didn't think I was able to give my best in the previous game against Luxembourg and that was preying on my mind again when I have not even played for my club in the last five games."

Stock will be looking to resume his international career in March when Wales host Group G rivals England in Cardiff.

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In the meantime, he has vowed to give 100 per cent to Rovers regardless of where his future lies.

"It's the first time in my career that I have been dropped by Sean (O'Driscoll) and it is hard to take," he said.

"I accept that no one has a place nailed down. You have to fight for your place and, with the squad we have got, anyone can come in. But I have tried to take it on as a positive and, hopefully, if I do get a chance to start again, I will be ready."

O'Driscoll has already defended his decision to drop Stock – and saluted the midfield performances of Simon Gillett and Woods in his absence.

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He has also acknowledged that Rovers risk losing the player on a free transfer next summer.

Under FIFA rules, Stock is entitled to talk to prospective new employers or sign a pre-contractual agreement with a rival club when the transfer window re-opens on January 1. Equally, Rovers may decide to approve his sale in order to secure a transfer fee, albeit one vastly reduced by the short amount of time left on his contract.