Team Lineups

Sharp speaks out after transfer speculation

Billy Sharp has played down rumours of a possible move to Wednesday by insisting he is happy to fight for a first-team place at Southampton.

We are one of several clubs to be linked with the former Sheff U striker in recent days but Sharp has said: “I am not sure where these reports over my future came from as it wasn’t even my agent. I am a Southampton player and I still have two years on my contract. I am happy to stay and fight for my place until I am told otherwise.”

At the same time, Sharp spent most of last season on loan at Forest and he has not been involved in Southampton’s pre-season tours, a further indication that he is not a part of manager Mauricio Pochettino’s future plans.

And with the transfer window closing at the end of the month, it seems likely that Sharp’s future will be away from St Mary’s … whether that means a move to S6 for the boyhood Sheff U fan remains to be seen.