ALEX Bruce fears he has played his final game for Ipswich Town.

Elvin King

ALEX Bruce fears he has played his final game for Ipswich Town.

The 24-year-old defender has not featured in the Town squad for the last three games, having been an unused substitute in the 0-0 draw at Wolverhampton on March 10.

He was dropped after the 3-0 home defeat by Southampton and is reported as saying while away with the Republic of Ireland squad for tomorrow's home World Cup game against Bulgaria: “I don't appear to be in the Ipswich manager's plans right now, and have worries whether I will between now and the end of the season.

“The manager picks what he feels is his best side, and that is fair enough. But I have been left wondering whether I have a future at Portman Road.”

In January fans' favourite Bruce turned down the offer of a new contract to replace the one that expires this summer.

It is believed that he felt it was not good enough, and did not reflect his standing with other members of the squad.

He watched Town's weekend 0-0 home draw with Watford from the stands before joining the Irish squad where he is expected to start on the bench.

In these stringent economic times Bruce is unlikely to be offered an improved offer, and with Pim Balkestein appearing to have overtaken him in the defensive pecking order, Bruce might not have another start this season despite the current injury to Moritz Volz.

Of the 12 Town players out of contract in the summer only Tommy Miller looks a good bet to still be at the club next August.