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Report: Joel Ward set to leave Crystal Palace with West Bromwich Albion keen

Tony Pulis the manager of West Bromwich Albion looks on during the pre season match between Bristol Rovers and West Bromwich Albion at the Memorial...
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The Crystal Palace defender played under West Bromwich Albion boss Tony Pulis at Selhurst Park.

Joel Ward is ‘set to leave’ Crystal Palace after rejecting a new four-year contract, The Sun reports (10 August, page 55).

And West Bromwich Albion are said to be interested in signing the right-back.

According to The Sun, Frank de Boer’s 3-4-3 formation has left Ward ‘frozen out’ at Selhurst Park.

Joel Ward of Crystal Palace during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Crystal Palace at Etihad Stadium on May 6, 2017 in Manchester, England.Crystal Palace defender Joel Ward

And Palace’s imminent capture of Timothy Fosu-Mensah will likely come as another blow to the 27-year-old’s prospects.

But he could yet be offered a lifeline by West Brom boss Tony Pulis, who managed Ward at Palace.

The former Portsmouth player’s existing deal expires at the end of the coming campaign, which suggests a cut-price deal could be on the cards should Pulis decide to act on his alleged interest.

The future of West Brom’s current right-back, Craig Dawson, is still uncertain, with the former England Under-21 international also in the final year of his contract.

West Bromwich defender Craig Dawson (R) controls the ball during the third-place playoff match of the Premier League Asia Trophy football tournament between West Bromwich Albion and...West Bromwich defender Craig Dawson (right)

And Ward’s ability to play in multiple positions, including left-back and right-midfield, is sure to appeal to Pulis, who is especially short in the former department.

Should West Brom move for Crystal Palace’s Joel Ward?