JON Stead remains confident that he will become a City player – with or without the possible takeover.

The striker, who was officially released by Huddersfield yesterday, has made no secret of his wish to pen a permanent deal at Valley Parade.

Contract talks with the club have been put on hold while Gianni Paladini continues his buy-out plan. But Stead is quite relaxed about the delay and sees no obstacle from the current boardroom negotiations.

He said: "It's just a case of whether this takeover is going to happen or not and that needs to get out of the way first. It's not progressed anywhere at the moment.

"I've been told that the prospective new owners and everybody coming in are aware of the situation and they are happy for it to progress, whether everything happens or not.

"It's good on both sides. They are telling me that they want to sort something out and I've always made it quite clear that I want to be here next season.

"Obviously if it goes another three or four weeks and nothing more has happened, then I'm going to have to start look elsewhere.

"But for the minute my phone's off, my agent is not going round clubs and seeing if there's anything out there and I'm quite happy to stick with this and wait.

"I don't see why we won't get to some sort of agreement. I'm happy for it to carry on."

Stead netted 11 goals last season – three behind top scorer Billy Clarke – as well as 11 assists. He is also the joint-leading marksman in the FA Cup with five.

After returning to City on a three-month loan in October, the well-travelled frontman signed another deal in the January transfer window and said at the time that he wanted to put down roots.

"We've got ages yet and it might go on to nearly the start of next season, although I hope not because I want it done as soon as possible," he said.

"I wanted it done at Christmas. The only reason I signed back on loan was because I didn't want to miss any games and it was the quickest way to get things done.

"Obviously I've been pleased with how things have gone since then and the club have.

"I can't see there being any issues. If there are, and things happen and the club decide it's not the way they want to go, then I'll have to look elsewhere.

"But I'm not expecting that. I'd be surprised and disappointed if it ends like that – but I really don't think it will."

Carlisle, meanwhile, have offered a deal to Jason Kennedy after his loan spell. The out-of-favour City midfielder played a key part in their fight against the League Two drop and scored three times in 11 appearances.