Maarten Stekelenburg, the Roma goalkeeper who lost his place in the starting formation to Mauro Goicoechea, is set for talks with the club’s sporting director Franco Baldini to discuss his future.
The agent of the Dutch keeper said his client was unhappy to play a sub role with Goicoechea now promoted to Roma’s first-choice no.1.
“The goalkeeping situation at Roma is not clear,” Rob Jansen was quoted as saying.
“If this situation was to persist then we would evaluate other avenues. Maarten didn’t come to Roma to sit on the bench.”
Afellay injured
Ibrahim Afellay has been ruled out of Schalke’s Champions League last-16 clash with Gala-tasaray next month after suffering a torn thigh muscle.
The Dutch midfielder will be sidelined for “at least two months” according to a club statement, after sustaining the injury at Schalke’s winter training camp in Doha.
The 26-year-old has already flown back to Germany to begin rehabilitation, but a return is unlikely before March meaning he could miss both legs of the Champions League clash against Galatasaray as well as a host of Bundesliga matches.
Gershon agrees Celtic deal
Israel defender Rami Gershon will join Celtic at their Marbella training camp after agreeing a six-month loan deal.
The Standard Liege defender flew into Glasgow for talks with Celtic last week and agent Dudu Dahan yesterday claimed his transfer had been agreed subject to work permit issues.
Dahan posted a picture of his client signing a contract at Celtic Park on his Scoutpush company’s Facebook page and it appears only a visa is needed to conclude the transfer.
The 24-year-old spent much of last year on loan at Kortrijk. He could help fill the void left by Efe Ambrose while the Nigerian is on Africa Cup duty.
West Brom opt for Garlick
West Brom have promoted from within to replace FA-bound Dan Ashworth with Richard Garlick replacing him as sporting and technical director, the club have confirmed.
Garlick has been operating as Albion’s legal director-secretary since joining the club two years ago. He will take over from Ashworth who is to become the FA’s new director of elite development next summer.
Garlick will now work closely with Ashworth during a handover period to ensure the club are prepared for the summer transfer window. He will be responsible for the first team, player recruitment, medical services and the academy.
Di Canio ready to dig deep
Manager Paolo di Canio says he will pay out of his own pocket to bolster English third tier club Swindon Town’s promotion ambitions.
The outspoken former Lazio and West Ham United player, appointed as Swindon manager in 2011, is desperate to hold on to loan signings John Bostock of Tottenham Hotspur and Norwich City’s Chris Martin after their deals expire.
“I will put my own money in to keep them,” Di Canio said.
“I will spend 20,000 or 30,000 pounds and put my money in to keep them for as long as we can because I care. I’m sure with them we have more of a chance to win.”
Messi will be back for more – Iniesta
Spain’s Andres Iniesta shrugged off the disappointment of failing to dislodge favourite Lionel Messi as the Argentinian won a record fourth Ballon d’Or at a FIFA gala on Monday by predicting his Barcelona team-mate would be back for more next year.
Messi easily saw off Real Madrid rival Cristiano Ronaldo and Iniesta for the prize and Iniesta said he would surely win again.
“Leo, if he continues in this vein, won’t let a fifth straight Ballon d’Or title slip.
“It’s not a question of sharing it out with others just because somebody has won a lot – you have to savour a job well done and that’s what we are doing,” Iniesta told reporters.
Owen too old, say Perth Glory
Australian A-League club Perth Glory ruled out signing former England international Michael Owen because they want someone younger.
Owen, 33, who scored 40 goals in 89 internationals for England and had stints with Liverpool, Real Madrid and Manchester United, is currently playing for Stoke City.
Glory coach Ian Ferguson said Owen’s representatives contacted the club but the discussions did not go far.
“Michael is a player who comes with a high pedigree but it’s not the direction I want to take the club. I am looking for a younger player,” Ferguson said.