Ashley Ward is clear to sign a two-year deal with Sheffield United after agreeing a pay-off from City.

Ward's contract with the Bantams was cancelled today by mutual consent, freeing him to clinch a move to the Blades.

Neil Warnock expects Ward to be unveiled within the next 48 hours after talks yesterday.

Warnock said: "I've spoken to Ashley and I think he is impressed by what I have told him.

"I've told him at this stage of his career to forget about the money and concentrate on doing the best with his football."

Ward has agreed a deal with City for the remaining year of his £18,000-a-week contract. Chairman Gordon Gibb today confirmed: "We've done our deal with him so as far as we are concerned, Ashley is now a free agent.

"We are letting him go on his terms and it is up to him to negotiate with Sheffield United who are definitely the front-runners."

Ward, who last played for City against Sheffield United's rivals Wednesday in March, was in the crowd for last night's final pre-season friendly at Altrincham.

He went into the dressing room at half-time to see the team but slipped away 20 minutes from the end of the game, which finished 1-1.

Tom Kearney captained an inexperienced City side at Moss Lane which included four senior players.

He said: "I'm now getting there fitness-wise. I've got a couple of 90 minutes under my belt which is what I needed and feel that my confidence is coming back."

Boss Nicky Law is pleased the players can now focus totally on Saturday's opening league clash at home to Norwich.

Law said: "When you come to the end of pre-season the lads reach a stage where they are up to fitness and don't want to put their place in jeopardy by getting injured. The Norwich game cannot come soon enough now."

Wayne Jacobs is touch and go for the weekend after hurting his knee in training yesterday. Paul Reid has a dislocated toe.