Everton are to tour Australia in July. The Toffees will meet three A-League clubs on the two-week tour - Sydney FC on July 10, Melbourne Heart on July 14 and Brisbane Roar on July 17.

Everton are best known in Australia as Tim Cahill's team and the midfielder has confirmed he hopes to take part in at least the final two matches of the tour, following his participation in the World Cup with the Socceroos.

Cahill, who is ready to sign a contract extension with Everton, said: "I think it's fantastic for the A-League and also Everton because Australia's got a massive following of Everton supporters."

Hull to hold further PFA talks

Hull's squad will hold further talks with the Professional Footballers' Association after being asked to defer a proportion of their wages over the summer.

Players met with the PFA at their Cottingham training ground this week and expressed a willingness to support the plan, which would see their wages reduced by a reported 30% in the short term on the understanding they would be fully repaid once the club's finances are back on a more even keel.

Those players whose contracts contain wage cuts based on relegation have also been asked to bring those reductions forward from the end of June as the club, who also held talks with manager Phil Brown over his future, seek to ease a £38.9m wage bill.

History can spur newcomers - Mancini

Roberto Mancini will challenge any summer transfer target to make history at Manchester City.

Mancini must strengthen his squad without the carrot of Champions League football to lure players to Eastlands.

City are in the Europa League, but Mancini is aware that the opportunity to operate at the very highest level is a major draw for the likes of Fernando Torres.

Mancini must therefore think of an alternative attraction, but the Italian thinks it is fairly easy.

"I always preferred to win with a club that hasn't won for many years," he said.

"When you choose a club where you are trying to change the history, it is good for a player and manager."

Bresciano to leave Palermo for Al Nassr

Australia international Mark Bresciano will leave Palermo in the summer after signing a two-year deal with Saudi giants Al Nassr.

The 30-year-old midfielder's contract with the Sicilians was due to run out in the off-season and he has opted to leave on a free transfer and join former boss Walter Zenga in the Middle East.

"This is a contract worth two million euros and over a two-year term," a spokesman said.

Bresciano was this week named in Australia's provisional squad despite having been sidelined since February due to a back problem.

Zamora agony on England decision

Bobby Zamora admits he was forced to put the national interest ahead of personal glory when he made the agonising decision to remove himself from contention for England's World Cup squad.

The Fulham striker was enjoying a stunning season which had thrust him into Fabio Capello's plans until he suffered an Achilles injury last month.

Capello had intended to include Zamora in the provisional 30-man squad. But knowing that he required pain-killing injections to play, Zamora was forced to concede that he would not recover in time.

"I told Fabio that I was struggling and I knew that, had I gone, I wouldn't have done myself or England justice," he said.

Samaras wants to stay at Hoops

Georgios Samaras insists he has no interest in quitting Celtic for Palermo or any other club. The Greece striker has found his first-team starts at Parkhead limited since Tony Mowbray was sacked as manager in March.

This week, Palermo sporting director Walter Sabatini praised the 25-year-old's "qualities". But Samaras said: "I am not open for talks with other clubs because I am very happy in Glasgow.

"I have heard some talk, but nothing else. To be honest with you, I am not looking to leave Celtic. I have a year to go and I am not looking to leave for Palermo or anyone else for that matter."

Skrtel hopeful over World Cup chances

Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel is optimistic of being fully fit for the start of Slovakia's World Cup campaign which starts in just over a month. The 25-year-old has not played since breaking a metatarsal in the Europa League victory over Unirea Urziceni on February 25.

However, he was an unused substitute for the final match of the season at Hull on Sunday and has been named in the provisional squad for Slovakia's World Cup debut.

"It is a proud moment for my country to have qualified and I hope to be there with them," said the centre-back.

"It has been a very frustrating time for me being injured and not being available for Liverpool but all I can do is wait and see."