The contract of Raphael Udah, who these days plays in the Iraqi championship, runs out at the end of the season.

But the midfielder is yet to receive green-light from the management of Al Najaf on a contract extension.

''The league ought to have ended but most of the Iraqi National Team players are domestic based. 

''So any time they have international assignments they will stop it just like the under 20 World Cup that is about to start in Turkey now and their World Cup qualifiers. Until that is concluded, we won't resume the championship.

''I guess by August we should be through,'' Raphael Udah said to allnigeriasoccer.com.

He added: ''I have not started negotiating a new contract with Al Najaf. If I don't sign a new deal, I hope to join another club in Iraq or elsewhere.''

Before penning a deal with Al Najaf, Udah had been on the wishlist of clubs in Turkey and Kazakhstan.

Those clubs never backed their interest with concrete offers.

He has played 23 matches this season for Al Najaf, who occupy the 14th position in the Iraqi top division.