Latest Transfer Update at 24-02-2012

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Raymond Verheijen: Leaving Wales role

VERHEIJEN QUITS WALES

Raymond Verheijen's often controversial spell with the Wales national side has come to an end after the Football Association of Wales announced that they had accepted his resignation.
The outspoken Dutchman, brought into the national set-up as assistant manager under the late Gary Speed, had been due to be part of the managerial team for next week's friendly against Costa Rica, a game being held in Speed's honour.
But Verheijen, whose position had been uncertain following the appointment of Chris Coleman as Speed's successor last month, has elected to resign from his post, accusing the FAW of "political and destructive games" in messages on his Twitter site.
Shortly after that post the FAW released a statement that read: "The Football Association of Wales (FAW) wishes to announce that it has today received the resignation of Raymond Verheijen.


"Raymond was the assistant manager to Gary Speed with the Wales national.
"The FAW accepts the resignation with regret, as Raymond was due to assist the Wales squad this week with the match against Costa Rica, a game being staged in honour of the Wales manager who tragically left us in November of last year.
"In light of the forthcoming match, and the sensitivities of it, the FAW has no further comment to make at this time.
"The FAW would like to take the opportunity to thank Raymond for his work over the last 12 months and wishes him well for the future."


Verhiejen's Twitter messages had read: "Earlier today I have informed the FAW I will resign. Have (had) enough of their political & destructive games. Very sad day.
"Very proud to be part of FIFA's most improved team in 2011. Would like to thank the players and fans for an amazing journey."

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Foster: On loan at West Brom

RIDGEWELL WANTS FOSTER FOR KEEPS

Defender Liam Ridgewell wants West Brom to try and make permanent keeper Ben Foster's loan move from Birmingham.
Ridgewell has first-hand knowledge of Foster's qualities from their spell together at Birmingham.
The former Manchester United player helped Blues win the Carling Cup 12 months ago before making the temporary switch to the Hawthorns last summer on a season-long loan.
But Ridgewell, who moved to the Baggies from St Andrew's last month for an undisclosed fee, hopes it can become a long-term deal.
Ridgewell said: "I hope Albion do pursue it (signing Foster permanently). For us to push forward we need some top quality players and Ben is certainly one of those.
"Transfer policy is nothing to do with me but Ben is a good keeper and it would be good to have him permanently.
"Even at Birmingham, Ben was a fantastic keeper. He is quality and it's a pleasure to play in front of him.
"He is up there with the best. We had Joe Hart at Blues before Ben and the two are not dissimilar in their stature, the way they play."
Ridgewell believes Foster is still good enough to play for England if he ends his self-imposed international exile which came into force towards the end of last season.


He said: "Ben is more than capable of playing for England - but it's his decision not to make himself available.
"It's a bonus for us. We get to keep him fresh and it can only benefit us and him."
West Brom have received a fitness boost ahead of tomorrow's home clash with Sunderland with skipper Chris Brunt back in training for the first time since suffering a fractured ankle on New Year's Day.


Head coach Roy Hodgson believes Brunt could be available for next weekend's encounter with crisis club Chelsea at the Hawthorns.
Hodgson said: "Chris Brunt has only trained twice and has only really trained once with the team, which was today.
"There was never really any chance of Chris Brunt being considered for this game.
"But he's certainly well within his schedule and the prognosis the medical people set, so that is a positive. Yes, he might have a chance for the Chelsea game.
"Once he gets back into training, trains fully for a week and has no reaction to the ankle that was operated on, then there is no reason he shouldn't be considered."