Stephanie Roche silent on reports she has quit French club

Fifa Puskas Award contender Stephanie Roche has refused to comment on reports that she has left her French club.

Republic of Ireland international Roche, 25, joined newly-promoted French top flight club ASPTT Albi last summer.

However, Albi manager David Welferinger said on Tuesday that Roche had opted not to return to France following her Christmas break at home in Ireland.

Roche will learn on Monday whether she has landed the Fifa world goal of the year honour.

Albi boss Welferinger said that the Irishwoman had received other offers from "richer clubs" although Roche would not confirm her departure from the French club in a BBC Radio Foyle interview on Wednesday morning.

"I'm trying to concentrate on the Puskas Award for now," said Roche. "I'm not too sure what's happening. I can't really comment."

In his interview on Tuesday, Welferinger said that Roche had "benefited so much from her success".

"Inevitably, she has had other offers from richer clubs. This is normal," added the Albi boss.

"We're not going to hold her back, we're studying the terms of breach of contract and wish her good luck even if we're a little sad."

As well as her £650 monthly salary, Roche had her accommodation provided by Albi, a town of 51,000 inhabitants in south western France.

Her spectacular turn and volley for Peamount United against Wexford Youths Women on 13 October , 2013 was witnessed by just 95 fans but has since been seen by over six million YouTube viewers.

Roche's goal helped earn her a professional contract with the French club.

World Cup goals from Colombia's James Rodriguez and Netherlands striker Robin van Persie will present the competition for Roche at Monday's Fifa annual awards in Zurich.

If Roche wins the vote, she will become the first female to win the Puskas award.

Roche represented the Republic of Ireland Under-17 team as a 14-year-old and since making her senior international debut in 2008, has gone on to accumulate 28 caps.