Ward deal off

Last updated : 12 November 2002 By TownMAD

Royle had hoped to sign the 31-year-old the former Blackburn and Barnsley forward on loan, but after holding talks with him has decided to look elsewhere.

"Ashley is looking for a more permanent move and unfortunately that is not possible for us at the moment," Royle told the club's official website.

"His family are settled in south Manchester and he has business interests up there.

"He is after a permanent move but we are not in a position to offer permanent contracts, only loan deals.

"We have a number of other targets and we will explore them in more detail."