RUDDOCK SET FOR OWLS SWAP?
Ruddock, 32, was unable to hold down a first team place at Upton Park last season and manager Harry Redknapp is apparently ready to let the experienced former Liverpool and Tottenham centre-back leave the club for around £750,000.
Redknapp has a plethora of defenders to choose from - including Rio Ferdinand, Igor Stimac, Javier Margas and Ian Pearce - for the central roles, while the left-back berth which Ruddock can also fill boasts Scott Minto and Stuart Pearce, who is on the comeback trail from a broken leg, and new signing Nigel Winterburn.
In a bid to raise funds for new signings - with Jordi Cruyff being one reported target - and ease the wage bill, Ruddock is likely to leave Upton Park, with Charlton also believed to be interested in signing him in a cash deal.
Walker, meanwhile, is believed to be unsettled at Hillsborough following Wednesday's relegation from the Premiership and, at 34, would be keen to have another season in the top flight, although he still has a year left on his Owls contract.
However, whether Redknapp would be willing to take another defender on board is open to question, especially should he wish to free up money to offer contracts to targets such as Cruyff as he looks to strengthen his midfield.
New Owls manager Paul Jewell could now have to stump up the cash should he want to get his man, with the situation looking all the more urgent following the Bosman departures of Ian Nolan and Peter Atherton to Bradford this week and the retirement of Jon Newsome at the end of last season.
