Latest Transfer Update at 15-02-2012

[<<ELVIS>>]

Latest Transfer Update at 15-02-2012

Jurgen Klopp: Much appreciated by Watzke

DORTMUND OFFER KLOPP JOB GUARANTEE

Borussia Dortmund chief executive Hans-Joachim Watzke has offered Bundesliga-winning coach Jurgen Klopp a job guarantee beyond the 2016 expiry date of his new contract.
Klopp, whose previous deal ran until 2014, penned a new contract with the German champions last month as reward for the work done at the club since taking charge in May 2008.
And Watzke cannot envisage wanting to say goodbye to the 44-year-old even when the new agreement comes to an end in four years' time.
He told Bild: "I do not exclude much in life, but I can rule out that I would say in 2016 to Jurgen Klopp, 'We must part'.
"We are absolutely convinced with Jurgen. I've known him for four years, know how he works and have total confidence in him. We gave Jurgen a long contract because we know he will get us through any hard times."

[<<ELVIS>>]

Lee Clark: Departs Huddersfield after three years

LEE CLARK LEAVES HUDDERSFIELD

Huddersfield Town have today parted company with manager Lee Clark and his coaching team.

[<<ELVIS>>]

Chris Hughton: Staying at Birmingham

HUGHTON RULES OUT WOLVES SWITCH

Birmingham boss Chris Hughton has ruled himself out of the running for the vacant managerial post at Wolves.
Hughton had been mentioned as an outsider for the role in the wake of Mick McCarthy's sacking on Monday after five and a half years in charge at Molineux.
Hughton has done a stirring job since taking over at St Andrews, with the Blues unbeaten at home in the npower Championship this season as they push for promotion back to the Barclays Premier League.
As far as Hughton is concerned though, he believes he has a job to finish with Birmingham, rather than any thoughts of taking on a new one at Wolves.
Asked about the speculation linking him with Wolves, Hughton said: "Anything like that is always very flattering.
"On the television I saw three names mentioned, so I presume that's where it's going and I just hope they pick the right person.
"I have a very challenging job to do here and I've got a group of lads who are desperate to do well this season and I'm desperate to guide them through."
Pressed on whether he was ruling himself out, Hughton told the Birmingham Mail: "I'm desperate to guide this group of players out to the end, yes."
It is understood, meanwhile, Wolves are to begin interviewing prospective candidates on Wednesday, with Alan Curbishley, Steve Bruce and Neil Warnock the three key names in the frame.
Wolves are hopeful defender Sebastien Bassong will be fit to face Newcastle on February 25. A scan has revealed that Bassong, on loan from Spurs, has a minor grade one hamstring tear.

[<<ELVIS>>]

David Bentley: Looking for loan move

BENTLEY WANTS LOAN MOVE TO MLS

David Bentley's agent has confirmed that he is hoping to finalise a loan move to America as 'soon as possible'.
The 27-year-old England international joined West Ham United from Tottenham on a season-long loan in the summer.
But knee surgery cut the deal short in October, and he is now battling to be fit.
As part of his rehabilitation, Bentley is hoping for a stint in Major League Soccer and he could move on loan to a club across the Atlantic.
When asked about a move to MLS, his agent Rob Segal told The Sun: "This is something that is interesting for David, as it will also get him fit.
"He would like to go there on loan as soon as possible."
Vancouver Whitecaps, who have also been linked with Middlesbrough's Barry Robson, are said to be leading the race to land him.

[<<ELVIS>>]

Tom Huddlestone: Has been sidelined since August

HUDDLESTONE FACING MORE SURGERY

Tottenham midfielder Tom Huddlestone will undergo further surgery on his ankle problem on Friday.
However, Spurs insist the 25-year-old's rehabilitation from the ligament damage that has kept him sidelined since August is progressing as expected.
"Tom will undergo a second stage of surgery on Friday to further his recovery following ankle surgery at the end of last year," read a statement on the club's official website, www.tottenhamhotspur.com.
"The midfielder has progressed well since his initial surgery with the specialist determining that the anticipated reconstruction of a lateral ankle ligament is the next step towards the England international making a return to full fitness."
Huddlestone has been limited to only four appearances this season because of the injury and Tottenham have refused to put a date on his comeback.

[<<ELVIS>>]

Keith Andrews: 'Open' to longer deal at The Hawthorns

ANDREWS WANTS WEST BROM STAY

Keith Andrews is already eyeing up a long-term future with West Brom following a dream debut in Sunday's thrashing of Wolves.
Andrews, who started his career with Wolves in 1999, playing in 72 matches over six years, netted the fourth goal in the 5-1 rout at Molineux that led to Mick McCarthy's sacking as manager on Monday.
Signed on a free transfer from Blackburn on the final day of last month's transfer window, it was the perfect start to life at The Hawthorns for the 31-year-old Republic of Ireland international.
However, with only a contract through to the end of this campaign, Andrews concedes he would like to make the move permanent.
"I would certainly be open to a longer deal," said Andrews.
"I have come here to play for a head coach I want to play for and a club I believe is run well and has a good set of lads that I enjoy coming in and working with every day.
"I enjoy being part of the team, so I am certainly open to it and I'm sure if I keep going the way I am then the club will be as well.
"I was delighted just to get on and make my debut and I was delighted with the result.
"The score, and to win by that margin, was Roy of the Rovers stuff. It was a dream come true."
Andrews, who came on as a half-time substitute for the injured Paul Scharner, has admitted he had no qualms about celebrating his 84th-minute goal despite his previous allegiance to Wolves.
"I wasn't reluctant at all, not in the slightest," said Andrews on the club's official website.
"I don't feel I owe the club anything in particular. A few people have said to me since then that Robbie Keane didn't celebrate when he scored against Wolves for Villa.
"Well Robbie Keane didn't get booed every time he touched the ball or get pelters when he warmed up, so it's swings and roundabouts."

[<<ELVIS>>]

Stephen Dobbie: Will remain at Swansea

RODGERS KEEN TO KEEP DOBBIE

Swansea boss Brendan Rodgers has told out-of-favour Stephen Dobbie to forget about a move away before the loan transfer window closes.
Middlesbrough are the latest club reported to have registered an interest in Dobbie, with Blackpool and Birmingham previously linked with the midfielder.
Dobbie was a key figure in Swansea's promotion success but has been left out of their matchday squads recently and has not played at all in 2012.
But Rodgers has insisted he cannot afford to let the 29-year-old leave.
He said: "I have got empathy for Stephen. But I have to protect the club so none of the senior players will be going out.
"I have spoken to Stephen to explain the situation and I'm sure he has been frustrated not to make the squads.
"But the players are well paid, so it's just unlucky for them and he has to get on with it.
"I know Stephen wants to play games.
"The great thing about him is that he is not driven by money - he is purely driven by playing football.
"But ultimately I have got to think about what happens at Swansea City.
"Look at what happened last week - all of a sudden we lost two players in a couple of days to injury in Joe Allen and Kemy Agustien.
"We could well lose more players over a longer period and, when that happens, I need players at Swansea who I can call on."

[<<ELVIS>>]

Daniel Cousin: Ibrox switch in the balance

RANGERS' COUSIN DEAL COULD CRASH

Strife-stricken Rangers' week could go from bad to worse with news that manager Ally McCoist's move for Daniel Cousin could fall through.
The Scottish Premier League giants entered administration on Tuesday which resulted in a ten-point deduction and an embargo on signing players.
Cousin, 35, was set to return to Ibrox on a £7,500-a-week deal having played with Rangers five years ago but the financial plight of the club may scupper the switch.
The future of the striker is still uncertain with the relevant documentation yet to be completed by the club and the SPL meaning Cousin is not yet a ratified member of the Rangers squad.
However, with Cousin leaving Gabonese outfit Sapins at the end of last season his agent Willie McKay insists that the frontman is not looking for a big salary.
"Daniel wasn't joining Rangers for the money," he said.
Despite Cousin being a free agent the events of recent days have made registering the player difficult and an SPL official confirmed the matter would be discussed with the club later in the week.

"The application has been received for the registration of Daniel Cousin. The player has not yet been registered with the SPL and we intend to discuss that application with the administrators of Rangers FC this week," a spokesman said.
Although McKay admitted Cousin was not after a big-money deal the agent insists he would have no problem in finding the striker, who scored 11 during his previous spell with the Gers, a contract in England.
"There are bigger problems facing the club at the moment than how the player is feeling," he added. "However, it won't be a problem getting him another club in England."

[<<ELVIS>>]

Tevez: Back at Man City

CARLOS TEVEZ BACK AT MAN CITY

Carlos Tevez arrived back at Manchester City on Tuesday with the apparent backing of his fellow players.
The Argentinian spent a little more than an hour at City's Carrington complex and underwent a medical after flying back into Manchester Airport, where he was met by a huge gathering of photographers and TV cameramen, on Tuesday afternoon.
On Monday the 28-year-old decided to end his unauthorised absence and return to England to resume his City career.
Tevez flew to Argentina without the club's permission in November after deciding not to appeal against a club fine relating to his conduct during the infamous Champions League loss at Bayern Munich in September.
He had hoped to secure a move during last month's transfer window but, despite interest from AC Milan, Inter Milan and Paris Saint-Germain, no move materialised.
He gave an interview in Argentina on Monday in which he said: "The most important thing for me is to return to get fit."
The city squad appear receptive to his return if the reaction of Joleon Lescott is typical.
He tweeted: "All I can say...is that all the players are excited to have Carlos, Kolo and Yaya (Toure, returned from the African Nations Cup) back to help achieve our goal."
Tevez flew overnight from Buenos Aires to mainland Europe and transferred to Manchester earlier on Tuesday afternoon.
After a brief trip home, he then travelled on to Carrington where he was greeted by several members of club staff.
Although Tevez has indicated a willingness to fight for a place back in the Barclays Premier League leaders' side, it remains to be seen how quickly manager Roberto Mancini reintegrates him into his squad.
Mancini, who initially said Tevez was "finished" at the club after the Munich game, has recently appeared open to the possibility of the player featuring again.
The City boss, however, has long maintained Tevez would need to apologise for that to happen.
City have also not yet responded to Tevez's claims in his Argentinian TV interview that Mancini treated him "like a dog" in Munich.
Tevez, who was accused of refusing to warm up at the Allianz Arena, said Mancini had been arguing with Edin Dzeko when the controversy erupted.
Tevez told Fox Sports: "So I go and sit down and he doesn't see me because he's having this discussion. But then he turns around and sees me and you can imagine what happens.
"He's in the middle of an argument so then he tells me to keep on warming up and treats me like a dog."
Tevez was suspended and later fined after the Munich incident and then flew back to Argentina.
While away he was fined another six weeks' wages, believed to be around £1.2million, and his pay was stopped.
Tevez failed in an appeal against that sanction but has lodged another appeal with the Premier League.
City are due to train on Wednesday morning before flying to Portugal for Thursday's Europa League game against Porto.
Tevez is unlikely to be involved in training as he has not been registered in City's squad for the competition. City are then not in action at the weekend following their elimination from the FA Cup.
Tevez's availability for the Premier League run-in would give Mancini a £25million-rated player who has been the club's top scorer for the past two seasons.
The inspirational Tevez was also the captain when City ended a 35-year trophy drought by winning the FA Cup last season.
The recent form of strikers Dzeko, Sergio Aguero and Mario Balotelli has led to suggestions Mancini might want the option of Tevez back.
There are still some questions remaining, however.
Tevez has said he can be match fit in two weeks but City have wanted to conduct their own assessment.
The issue of an apology is also still to be addressed.
Tevez also said yesterday: "I do not think I was wrong, but if they (the club) think so I apologise.
"I am ready to return, to win and do the best for the club's shirt."

[<<ELVIS>>]

David Cotterill: Joins Barnsley

COTTERILL SIGNS FOR BARNSLEY

Barnsley have signed ex-Sheffield United man David Cotterill on a free transfer - and the winger could make his debut at the weekend.
The Welsh international should be available against Portsmouth on Saturday, subject to international clearance.
Tykes boss Keith Hill has confirmed the deal is to go ahead and believes it was an easy decision to make.
"We're very close," said Hill. "We've been in negotiations with him for a while.
"He watched us play against Leicester, he was due to sign for them until they signed Ben Marshall.
"He comes with a good knowledge of the Championship, experience and it's a no-brainer.
"With international clearance he will be available for the weekend."
Hill also praised the attitude of the 24-year-old and envisions Cotterill being a good fit for his club.
"He wants to play football," added the Barnsley boss. "He probably could have sat the season out and gone on holiday.
"He wants to kick-start his career again, he's only 24. He's left and right-footed and can play as a number 10.
"I think it's important we recruit the players that fit our system and style. We're talking about building a team.
"He's been well educated so he knows what we expect from him. It should be a smooth transition.
"It's similar to, I suppose, (Leon) Britton at Sheffield United, he didn't really perform to any great standard - he didn't fit the style.
"From a manager's perspective it's important you don't go out recruiting players for the sake of it."