A US version of Footballers' Wives is believed to still be on the cards.

There had been fears that because the pilot wasn't picked up at the US upfronts, the Shed Productions creation wouldn't be turned into a series for the US market.

Though according to reports, the series, which will this time be called Football Wives and focus on American Football, is about to be greenlit by US network ABC.

The studio has extended the options on talent including Lucy Lawless, lined up to play 'bitch' Tanya Turner, Ving Rhames and former Dawson's Creek star James Van Der Beek.

Previously it was thought that ABC's parent company Disney and the NFL raised concerns that the US version would not sit well with NFL coverage on ABC.