McCALL: Motherwell manager Stuart McCall has joined Gordon Strachan’s Scotland backroom team. McCall, who retains his club job, has been appointed assistant national coach. The former Scotland midfielder, who won 40 caps, will work with Strachan and assistant manager Mark McGhee, who were appointed last week.
SOUGOU: Marseille have signed Senegal winger Moudou Sougou from Romanian champions CFR Cluj, the two clubs said yesterday. The 28-year-old Moudou, who joined Cluj in 2011 after playing for several years in Portugal, signed a three-and-a-half year contract with the French club.
ZAHA: Wilfried Zaha will have contract talks and undergo a medical with Manchester United in the next 48 hours. United have been given permission to speak with the England international by Crystal Palace and reports said he will travel north with his advisor Will Salthouse to conclude the deal. It is anticipated the 20-year-old will immediately be loaned back to Palace for the remainder of the season.
PEARCE: Reading defender Alex Pearce has been drafted into the Ireland squad for next month’s friendly against Poland. The 24-year-old has received a late call-up after manager Giovanni Trapattoni agreed to FC Toronto’s request for Darren O’Dea to be allowed to remain with them for their pre-season preparations.
DISTIN: Everton defender Sylvain Distin has signed a new one-year contract extension which keeps him at Goodison Park until the summer of 2014. The 35-year-old’s existing deal expired this summer but manager David Moyes was always confident of extending the Frenchman’s stay.
SILVA: Chile international Francisco Silva could make his debut for Osasuna against Barcelona this weekend after joining on loan from Catolica until the end of the season. The 26-year-old midfielder said: “It’s my first experience in European football and I have to adapt as quickly as possible, because time is short and I hope to make the most of it.”
SISSOKO: France midfielder Moussa Sissoko became Alan Pardew’s latest French signing when he joined Newcastle from Toulouse. Sissoko, 23, has won six caps with France and started his career at Toulouse’s academy. “Moussa Sissoko will not go to the end of his contract with TFC. He found an agreement with Newcastle United for a definitive transfer which takes effect today,” Toulouse said.