THOHOYANDOU – Ishmael Maluleke's future with his present club, Manning Rangers, is in the balance. His contract with the club expires next Friday, 31 May.

When asked whether he was still prepared to extend the contract with the club, Maluleke said that the ball was in the club's court. According to him he has already given the club his needs and conditions through his business agent, Mr Mike Makaab. "We are waiting for them to come back to us before the end of the month and I am prepared to stay if they come up with something at all attractive," he said.

He stated that although his contract with Rangers was expiring next Friday, he would give the club first preference, considering the fact that they took him to where he is today. According to him, Manning Rangers had scouted him from the Natal Technikon soccer team three years ago.

He was loaned to African Wanderers and Amazulu during his first two seasons with the club until they recalled him early last season. He scored 18 goals last season, thus making him the Castle Premiership's top goal scorer for the league.

He stated that he would consider offers from other clubs if he did not reach any agreement with Rangers. When asked which club he was intending to join if Rangers turned their backs on him, Maluleke said that any club that came up with a good offer would get his services.

When asked about the speculation that he is currrently engaged in serious talks with the two local clubs, Black Leopards and Dynamos, Maluleke stated that those are baseless rumours. Although he has vehemently denied that, Mirror has learnt from reliable sources that the 24-year-old striker held business talks with the two clubs recently.