Latest Transfer Update at 29-03-2012

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Gary Neville: 'I do feel the vultures are circling'

FA URGED TO APPOINT ENGLAND BOSS

The Football Association have been warned that they could be storing up trouble by delaying the appointment of the next England manager.
Former Manchester United defender Gary Neville believes time is running out ahead of Euro 2012 while ex-England boss Terry Venables, who backed Harry Redknapp for the job, criticised the FA for not appointing Fabio Capello's successor sooner.
The FA have made it clear they want to wait until early May in order to avoid destabilising any club, and also because if the next manager is currently in work, he would not leave his club until the end of the season.


However, Neville, who won 85 caps for England, warned that the new manager and the FA will have issues to deal ahead of Euro 2012 starting on June 8, including the captaincy and possible effect on the squad of John Terry's court trial in July where he will deny racially abusing Rio Ferdinand's brother Anton.
Speaking at the Soccerex conference in Manchester, Neville said: "The England manager has started being mentioned again this week, we are going into a tournament and who is taking the team, what tactics are we going to play, what principles?
"They say they are going to wait until the end of the season - that's May 13."
He added: "There's something brewing at the moment. There are situations still not being dealt with.
"There are player situations going into the tournament, there are manager situations going into the tournament, it's going to come pretty quickly. It's April next week.


"There's manager, there's player, there's captain, there's (the) court case, it's not going to go away.
"And the FA at this moment in time are in a difficult position as always. If they actively go in there now and do something then it will be like a bull in a china shop, if they step away it's a very difficult position to be in.
"I do fear that there's no right or wrong at times, just do your best, but I do feel the vultures are circling."
Venables, who managed the England team that reached the Euro 96 semi-finals, said Redknapp would benefit from being the popular choice but that there was no benefit in the FA stalling on a decision.


He also warned that Redknapp or any other English manager could not to expect to earn anything like the £6million annual salary paid to Capello.
Venables said: "I think Harry is the candidate, he has done such a capable job; it's whether he wants it.
"It seems to have gone on too long for me, there's now a double take and no-one seems to really know what's going on apart from those that are in the seat.
"They have to get someone in there straight away do to something about it.
"I don't see any benefit at all in coming in at the last moment with a rah-rah-rah. He's got to know those players, not just from what he has seen, but how they talk and what they feel is important, really getting into the individuals.
"The cogs have got to be strong to make that chain strong.
"The more time you can get in that the better. There's nothing for you doing it cold."
Venables is adamant that the FA should not give the job to another foreign manager
and expects English candidates to be paid less.


He added: "If an English manager gets it this year I bet they don't get six million. We bring in someone from out there and pay them some ridiculous price to do it. I bet an Englishman won't get that.
"I can't get to grips with that [foreign England managers], I never have.
"You can go for anyone in the world for the Champions League and Premier League.
"But internationally it's like what went on in wars - you can't trade generals you have to go for your own.
"Spain and Germany always go for their own. I would rather lose with our own people.
"Some of our guys deserve a chance and can do it. I would just like to see our own man there, win lose or draw."


Venables feels the benefits of Redknapp reportedly being the popular choice should not be underestimated.
"What's good is the fact that everyone wants him to take the England job, he's the popular vote," Venables added.
"The fans shouldn't be making the decision but it is a good thing that the country are behind him. It makes you feel good and it did happen for me in 1996 and it makes you feel really comfortable.
"It's a good start. It might not be a good end, but at least at the start it gives you a great feeling to say 'You can do this'."

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David Healy: Considering leaving Rangers

HEALY HINTS AT RANGERS EXIT

David Healy has revealed he may be forced to leave Rangers at the end of the season.
The 32-year-old has been left out of the squad for the last two games amid reports that he has been omitted because of a clause in his contract which means he is due a pay increase if he makes another appearance.
Rangers are currently in administration and all members of their squad recently agreed to significant wage cuts to help the Ibrox outfit complete the season.


Northern Ireland's record goalscorer has admitted he is keeping an open mind over his future and would consider a move abroad.
"I'm going to keep my options open. If I leave Rangers I would probably prefer to stay in the UK but at this stage I wouldn't rule out a move abroad either although it would depend on the circumstances for me and my family," Healy told the Belfast Telegraph.
"Another big factor for me is that I wouldn't want to go somewhere that would have a detrimental effect on me playing for Northern Ireland."
When asked if the clause in the contract has anything to do with his lack of recent action, Healy replied: "As far as I'm aware I'm allowed to play.


"I know people have questioned that because if I play one more game I am in line for a wage increase, but it's not like it is huge that's for sure.
"I don't really know why I haven't played recently.
"I definitely want to play again for Rangers and obviously I want to stay until the end of the season and then after that we'll see what happens."

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Leadbitter: Future uncertain

LEADBITTER UNSURE OVER FUTURE

Ipswich midfielder Grant Leadbitter admits his future is up in the air.
Leadbitter has been Town's standout performer since earning a recall to Paul Jewell's starting XI in the 3-0 win over Bristol City at the start of this month.
His superb second-half equaliser salvaged a point in Tuesday's 1-1 draw against Middlesbrough and was his fourth goal in his last four games.
Although it did come after having missed an earlier penalty upon his return from a one-match suspension for his dismissal against Burnley, while Leadbitter has previously struggled for form this term.


The 26-year-old, out of contract in the summer, insists he would like to stay at Portman Road and Jewell wants to keep him, with talks scheduled to happen over the next couple of days. But, as it stands, he is unsure what the future holds as his Town contract comes up for renegotiation.
"I would like to stay at Ipswich - I have never said I wanted to leave. But at the moment, I don't know what is going to happen," Leadbitter told the Green'Un.

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Jim Jefferies: Close to first signing

SPANISH KEEPER SET FOR PARS

Jim Jefferies is closing in on his first signing as Dunfermline manager, with Spanish goalkeeper Bernardo Dominguez Fernandez agreeing a move to East End Park, subject to international clearance.
Former Hearts and Kilmarnock boss Jefferies succeeded Jim McIntyre at Dunfermline last week and recognised the need for a goalkeeper to challenge and back up Chris Smith in the Pars' bid for Clydesdale Bank Premier League survival.
First-choice Paul Gallacher is out for the season with a shoulder injury, while Iain Turner returned to parent club Preston after injury brought a premature end to his loan deal.
With Smith his only senior stopper and reluctant to thrust young goalkeepers into a relegation battle, Jefferies has been searching and Fernandez is set to join.


A statement on Dunfermline's official website read: "DAFC have agreed to sign Bernardo Dominguez Fernandez subject to international clearance.
"Bernardo is a 32-year-old Spanish goalkeeper from Zafra, Badajoz. His previous club SD Huesca who play in Segunda Division.
"Bernardo left Huesca in January 2012 after his second spell at the club, making a total of 43 appearances. Bernardo has also played for Siero, Amurrio, Orihuela, Alaves, Tenerife (loan), and Recreativo."
Dunfermline hope to complete the deal imminently, but it may be next week before Fernandez arrives.
Jefferies told Press Association Sport: "It will give cover for Chris and a bit of competition.
"If anything happened to Chris it would be a very difficult for the two young kids. In the predicament we're in, the last thing you want to do is throw youngsters in.


"Bernardo is experienced. He's played most of his time in the second division in Spain.
"There's not a lot of options for us at this point and he'll help us.
"We're trying to make sure the paperwork is done and we will require international clearance."
Jefferies takes the Pars to Tannadice on Saturday for his second game in charge against in-form Dundee United.
Jefferies, who had Neil McCann in attendance at training today as the former Scotland international attempts to achieve his coaching qualifications, has now been in charge for a week and was encouraged by the performance in the 1-1 draw with St Mirren.
"We took a step forward last week, although a small one, gaining a point on the team above us and hopefully we can close that gap," said Jefferies, whose side moved three points behind 11th-placed Hibernian with the draw.


"I thought we showed great determination to come back, so that's a step in the right direction.
"Everybody gets on, everybody's pulling for each other - I've got to make sure they keep believing they can do it and keep being positive."
The move to Dunfermline has set up an intriguing relegation battle involving Jefferies, who spent much of the time between his departure from Hearts in August and his appointment at East End Park playing golf, and familiar foes.
Jefferies reported his friend and long-time assistant Billy Brown, now the assistant manager at Hibs, believes he is in good health.
"He said he's not seen me as bubbly as I am at the moment for a couple of years," Jefferies said.


"He knows I'm enjoying it, I'm getting a response from the players and we'll see what happens.
"Seven games to go and the idea with these two games before the split is to make sure it's not too big a gap so when we go into the split. It could be very, very interesting."