ÉAMON ZAYED spent his Christmas unsure about what league he would be playing in next year.

But the striker is certain that he is on the right track in Indianapolis.

3 Eamon Zayed has had a globetrotting career Credit: Sportsfile

Zayed has had a globetrotting career with spells in England, Norway, Iran and Malaysia before he made the switch to Indy Eleven last season.

His first term in the North American Soccer League (NASL) went well as he scored 15 goals and helped Indy to the Soccer Bowl, where they lost on penalties to New York Cosmos.

But in a situation familiar to him from his time at home in Ireland, he has faced a close-season of uncertainty. The difference is he knows he is staying in the US in 2017.

The NASL’s future is in doubt with a decision to be made early in the new year.

3 Eamon Zayed is under contract to return to Indy Eleven

But Zayed has a contract to return to in Indy, who will stay where they are or join the United Soccer League (USL).

It would not mean a drop in standard either.

The USL are pushing for the NASL’s status as America’s second division, even though there is no promotion to or relegation from Major League Soccer (MLS).

Dublin’s Zayed — who lined out for Bray, Drogheda, Sporting Fingal, Derry City, Sligo and Shamrock Rovers — said: “I’ve been fortunate with the year I’ve had. If the year hadn’t gone well, it would have been an anxious Christmas period, I wouldn’t know what’s going on with the club and stuff like that but it’s gone well.

“I have another year in Indy. They’re going to play in a league, whether it’s the NASL or the USL, no matter what.

3 Eamon Zayed in action for Shamrock Rovers in 2014 Credit: Sportsfile

“Worst-case scenario, if they were to not play next year, I’ve done well enough that I’ll get another team in America. That’s ultimately where I want to play because I have enjoyed it.”

A step-up could also be on the horizon.

He added: “There’s an agent on the lookout for me and he’s spoken to a few MLS clubs. They love stats.

“If you’re an attacking player, it’s assists and goals and my stats were quite good this year.

“There are clubs looking, whether they make a move or not I’m not quite sure. There’s not a massive gap between NASL and MLS.

“We played a couple of MLS teams, we played Chicago Fire in the US Open Cup and it went to penalties — a game we should have won.

“In the MLS, they possibly have better football IQ, make better decisions with the ball. That is the only thing that differentiates the American players.

“The foreigners are pretty similar I feel, bar obviously some of the high-profile players like Steven Gerrard, David Villa or someone like that.

“I think the NASL have better foreigners because the ones who come into the NASL still want to play and give it 100 per cent.

“Some of the foreigners who go into the MLS look at it like a last pay cheque at times.”

But the 33-year-old understands that MLS clubs are probably looking for younger players.

He said: “Fortunately, the way I play, I don’t utilise as much energy as possibly other players!

“So I see myself playing for another two years and then we’ll see what happens.”

His US switch and form since have also got him back in the international fold, with Libya’s new coach Jalal Damja keen on him.

Zayed was first called up in 2011 as his father hails from the African nation. He has eight caps and one goal for the country.

Zayed added: “I got called back into the squad on November 13, a World Cup qualifier against Tunisia. Our final was on November 15 in America so I had to make a decision and I decided to stay in America.

“A new manager came in after September 2013, he didn’t want anyone over the age of 30 and that ruled me out. They sacked him in September or October and brought in a new boss, who called me back in.”