Joe Ledley has been with his home-town club since the age of nine
John Toshack has warned Joe Ledley the uncertainty surrounding his Cardiff City future is affecting his form.
The Wales midfielder was heavily linked with a Premier League move as the 22-year-old has just 12 months remaining on his Cardiff contract.
Ledley has hinted recently he is ready to commit his future Cardiff and the club have offered him a four-year deal.
"The sooner that gets sorted it will be in the player's, Cardiff's and our best interest," said Wales manager Toshack.
The Wales stand-in skipper was the subject of intense speculation that a top-flight club such as Stoke City and Everton would make a bid for the £6m-rated midfielder.
But the Championship club received no bids for Ledley in the summer transfer window and the lifelong Bluebirds fan will consider his new and improved Cardiff contract while away on international duty.
Ledley was captain of his home-town club until Cardiff boss Dave Jones took the captaincy off him due to the uncertainty and speculation surrounding his long-term future.
I don't think Joe has been at his best just recently for us or for Cardiff - and he knows what I think.
Wales manager John Toshack
Ledley is now expected to hand the national team captain's armband back to Craig Bellamy after the Manchester City striker missed the last few Wales games.
And Toshack hopes Ledley can put his club distractions to one side and perform in Wales' 2010 World Cup qualifier against Russia at the Millennium Stadium on Wednesday.
"I know there was some real interest in Joe and Cardiff had an offer some time ago," said Toshack.
"But I don't think Joe has been at his best just recently for us or for Cardiff - and he knows what I think.
"The recent games for us he has been captain and I'm not sure if that has helped, while he had the captaincy taken off him at Cardiff and maybe that didn't help either.
"Of course, Joe has had this business hanging over his stay as to whether he is going to stay as he has a year left on his contract.
"I understand that Cardiff are close to coming to an agreement with him. The sooner that gets sorted it will be in the player's, Cardiff's and our best interest.
Cardiff feared Ledley, the subject of failed £6m bids in the previous two transfer windows, would leave at the end of this season on a free transfer when his contract expires.
The Welsh club would receive minimal compensation if Cardiff were to lose Ledley on a free transfer as they developed the player through their youth academy.
Now Ledley, who last signed a two-year extension to his Cardiff deal in 2007, admits he is ready to finally secure his Bluebirds future if the contract is right.
Any new deal would include a buy-out clause of approximately £5m so if a Premier League club shows an official interest, Ledley would be allowed to talk to any prospective buyer.
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