Bosnar call looms for Sydney FC

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DEFENDER Eddy Bosnar is likely to learn at the weekend whether Sydney FC will sign him and the signs are promising.

Bosnar, who was recently released by Chinese side Guangzhou R&F, has been training with the Sky Blues for over a fortnight.

Tiago Calvano's exit to the US this week further weakens a Sydney defence which had already lost fellow import Pascal Bosschaart in October and it opens up another spot in coach Frank Farina's squad.

Farina admits the timing could be right for Bosnar before the January transfer window closes next week.

"Yes it does open a door but whether or not we decide to welcome him through that door we'll decide most probably on the weekend because that decision needs to be made by Tuesday," said Farina on Thursday.

Defender Eddie Bosnar, right, playing for Suwon Bluewings against Central Coast Mariners during the Asian Champions League last year. The Aussie centre-back may join Sydney FC. Source: AFP

"Eddy's looking in good shape and we are looking a bit thin across the central defence now.

"So there's an opportunity there."

The 33-year-old journeyman hasn't been back in Australia since leaving the old NSL in 2000, having since had stints at clubs including Everton, Sturm Graz, Dinamo Zagreb and Shimizu S-Pulse.

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Bosnar represented Australia at three different age groups but was never picked for the Socceroos.

Farina said it was more matter of money rather than Bosnar proving his skill.

"He doesn't have to do a lot to impress me. He's got a great history," Farina said.

"It's just a decision we've got to make both financially and for the team.

"If it's the right one we'll go about it."

Eddie Bosnar training with Brett Emerton way back in 2000. Source: News Limited

Farina said however, while there are two spots he can fill in this current transfer window, the club will only be offering contracts until the end of this season.

With the majority of the players coming off contract at the end of this campaign, including the likes of Alessandro Del Piero, Ali Abbas, Joel Chianese, Richard Garcia and Terry McFlynn, Farina says he has plans to wait until then to make more permanent signings.

"If we fill those spots it will only be until the end of this year it won't be long term," he said.

"At the end of this current season only eight players remain on contract so there's an opportunity to really rebuild."

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Farina won't be making too many changes this week however, as the Sky Blues face Melbourne Heart on Friday having dismantled their cross-town rivals Melbourne Victory 5-0 last week.

"It's hard to change a winning side," he said.

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Bosnar call looms for Sydney FC

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

DEFENDER Eddy Bosnar is likely to learn at the weekend whether Sydney FC will sign him and the signs are promising.

Bosnar, who was recently released by Chinese side Guangzhou R&F, has been training with the Sky Blues for over a fortnight.

Tiago Calvano's exit to the US this week further weakens a Sydney defence which had already lost fellow import Pascal Bosschaart in October and it opens up another spot in coach Frank Farina's squad.

Farina admits the timing could be right for Bosnar before the January transfer window closes next week.

"Yes it does open a door but whether or not we decide to welcome him through that door we'll decide most probably on the weekend because that decision needs to be made by Tuesday," said Farina on Thursday.

Defender Eddie Bosnar, right, playing for Suwon Bluewings against Central Coast Mariners during the Asian Champions League last year. The Aussie centre-back may join Sydney FC. Source: AFP

"Eddy's looking in good shape and we are looking a bit thin across the central defence now.

"So there's an opportunity there."

The 33-year-old journeyman hasn't been back in Australia since leaving the old NSL in 2000, having since had stints at clubs including Everton, Sturm Graz, Dinamo Zagreb and Shimizu S-Pulse.

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Bosnar represented Australia at three different age groups but was never picked for the Socceroos.

Farina said it was more matter of money rather than Bosnar proving his skill.

"He doesn't have to do a lot to impress me. He's got a great history," Farina said.

"It's just a decision we've got to make both financially and for the team.

"If it's the right one we'll go about it."

Eddie Bosnar training with Brett Emerton way back in 2000. Source: News Limited

Farina said however, while there are two spots he can fill in this current transfer window, the club will only be offering contracts until the end of this season.

With the majority of the players coming off contract at the end of this campaign, including the likes of Alessandro Del Piero, Ali Abbas, Joel Chianese, Richard Garcia and Terry McFlynn, Farina says he has plans to wait until then to make more permanent signings.

"If we fill those spots it will only be until the end of this year it won't be long term," he said.

"At the end of this current season only eight players remain on contract so there's an opportunity to really rebuild."

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Farina won't be making too many changes this week however, as the Sky Blues face Melbourne Heart on Friday having dismantled their cross-town rivals Melbourne Victory 5-0 last week.

"It's hard to change a winning side," he said.

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Sexy Scarlett banned from Super Bowl

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A COMMERCIAL featuring Hollywood starlet Scarlett Johansson won't be making an appearance at the Super Bowl.

The ad for drink company SodaStream was rejected long before the Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks take to the field next week.

WATCH THE AD IN THE PLAYER ABOVE .

The commercial was given the flick not because it features Johansson, or even because SodaStream is a rival to key sponsors.

It was rejected because Johannson's takes aim at those sponsors with her final words in the 30-second ad: "Sorry, Coke and Pepsi".

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Paper Talk: Januzaj's Nandos date

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WAYNE Rooney is ready to sign a new contract while United teammate Adnan Janzuaj comes under fire for being a cheapskate. This is Paper Talk.

ROONEY'S RECORD-BREAKING CONTRACT

Wayne Rooney is confident of signing a new record-breaking contract at Manchester United and could even sign on the dotted line by the end of this week, Ian Ladyman of the Daily Mail reports.

The striker has been locked in talks with the club and is beginning to think ever more optimistically about staying, despite sustained interest from EPL rivals Chelsea.

The 28-year-old only has a slight chance of teaming up with new signing Juan Mata against Cardiff in the Premier League on Wednesday morning as he is still recovering from a groin strain.

Nevertheless, Rooney is understood to be leaning towards extending his stay at United after becoming convinced the club are prepared to spend big to improve David Moyes' squad this European summer.

A new deal would take Rooney's incentive-based pay up towards the $569,000-a-week mark and that would make him the highest paid player in the country.

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CHIRCHES'S BIG NIGHT

Tottenham defender Vlad Chiriches has been filmed a little worse for wear after a few too many drinks back in his homeland, Romania.

'Chiriches plays a like a Romanian but drinks like an Englishman!' was the headline given by news outlet Cancan.Ro.

Manager Tim Sherwood will be hoping the defender will be more steady on his feet and focused when his side faces Manchester City on Wednesday morning.

UK TABLOID TARGETS JANUZAJ

Manchester United young gun Adnan Januzaj is the latest victim of the notoriously savage UK press, with UK student Melissa McKenzie speaking to the Sun about what she deemed a horror date with the 18-year-old.

McKenzie's dissatisfaction was the $57,000-a-week star's choice of venue for a date -chicken restaurant Nando's and his tracksuit attire.

'I've never met anyone so stingy in my life,' she told The Sun.

'I was so excited for the first date. We met on a social network site and I got all dressed up and even got my make-up done - costing me $60.

Adnan Januzaj of Manchester United is targeted by the UK press. Source: Getty Images

"I expected him to come to me in a flashy car, but I ended up driving him about in my old blue Fiesta and I was left to pay and display. Then he said he was taking me to Nando's - my face fell.

'I usually go there for a quick bite to eat with my mates. I didn't expect to be going there on a date with a Man United footballer, especially in my dress and heels.'

The Sun reports that Januzaj did pay out $34 for dinner before the pair went to a three-star hotel, where they watched The X Factor.

RODGERS'S TRANSFER WINDOW FRUSTRATION

Liverpool fans frustrated with the club's transfer window activity can take heart that manager Brendan Rodgers shares that frustration.

Serial transfer thieves Chelsea gazumped the Reds for the signing of FC Basel's Mohamed Salah just six months after doing the same for Willian.

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Rodgers admitted it's been hard, but has vowed to keep looking until the final minutes of the January window.

We'll probably judge that (whether this month has been a frustration) best when the window has shut," said Rodgers.

"We will see where we are at when the window shuts. Of course I wanted to strengthen the team that was already here.

"If we are unable to that it would be disappointing, but there's nothing you can do about it. If we don't get them in then, as a coach, I'll work with what I've got. There's no point in looking back on it."

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MOYES TALKING TOUGH

Fresh off the signing of Juan Mata from Chelsea, David Moys has a message for his underperforming Manchester United charges, shape up or face the axe.

"I am not going to accept it," said Moyes.

"I am disappointed we are not in a much stronger position. I am disappointed with how we have played.

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"I, ultimately, take the rap for that.

"But what I will do is make it right. I am going to get better players in.

"Unfortunately, I don't think there will be more in January. But it will change."

Moyes wasn't signalling out anyone in particular, but veterans Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic and Patrice Evra may be looking nervously over their shoulders.

United have lacked cutting edge so far this season, with Nani and Ashley Young also failing to fire as the club languishes 14 points off leaders Arsenal.

LOANS FOR RED DEVILS DUO

Moyes is confident Wilfried Zaha is joining the right club in Cardiff City after the Manchester United manager explained his decision to let the winger and Fabio da Silva move to south Wales.

Zaha is set to link up with Cardiff on loan for the rest of the season after struggling to make an impact since Moyes' appointment as United boss.

Manchester United manager David Moyes won't tolerate ineptude by his players. Source: AFP

"With Wilfried Zaha, I'd said to him during the summer that we wanted to get him games," Moyes told MUTV. "If he played, then great, but if he couldn't, we'd get him out on loan.

"We had one or two offers for him but just felt Cardiff, at this moment in time, might be the right club.

"With Ole going there as well, he knows how the club works here and exactly what we do with the players so hopefully it will be a good move for Wilf."

Full-back Fabio leaves after making just 56 appearances for United since pitching up at Old Trafford with his brother Rafael in 2008.

- Sky Sports

BLACK CATS COULD SUE DI CANIO

Sunderland are taking legal advice after the team's former manager Paolo Di Canio launched a scathing attack on the struggling Premier League club.

Di Canio branded the Black Cats "weak" as a club and called some of his former players "cowards", with his strongest criticism reserved for captain John O'Shea, Phil Bardsley and Lee Cattermole.

Wayne Rooney, Melissa McKenzie, Brendan Rodgers and Paolo Di Canio. Source: AFP

In his comments over the weekend, the controversial Italian, who was sacked in September after just 13 games in charge, also suggested he was too good for Sunderland and confirmed his intention to make his name as a manager in England with another Premier League club.

Sunderland's owners have been infuriated by Di Canio's outburst and hit back in a statement on Monday that hinted they were considering legal action.

"Sunderland AFC would like to express its disappointment in relation to the disparaging comments made recently by Paolo Di Canio regarding the club and its players," the statement read.

"The club is now considering its position with its legal representatives.

-AAP

FALCAO NOT GIVING UP

Colombia striker Radamel Falcao isn't giving up his dream of playing in his first World Cup in June, despite suffering a serious knee injury.

The 27-year-old ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during Monaco's 3-0 win in the French Cup over side Chasselay last week, but says he'll be doing everything he can to line up at world football's showpiece event.

Colombian football player Radamel Falcao recovers after his knee operation. Source: AFP

"They told me there was a slim chance of me being fit for the World Cup finals and I am going to cling to that hope," he said

"I am convinced that everything will go well.

"I feel that I will have to expend all my energy every day to be fit."

PAY OR WE DON'T PLAY

Spanish third-tier side Racing Santander have threatened not to play in the club's Copa del Rey quarter-final, second leg against Real Sociedad on Thursday if president Angel Lavin and the rest of the board don't resign.

The stricken club, which has spent the majority of its 101-year history in the top flight, is currently playing in the third-tier of Spanish football having suffered two consecutive relegations and falling into administration.

Despite an amazing cup run that has included victories of La Liga sides Sevilla and Almeria, the players haven't been paid since September.

After a series of broken promises from Lavin as to when they will receive their money, the squad has warned they may not take to the field on Thursday if he is still in charge of the club.

This writer is on Twitter: @Huw_Bonello

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Stars skittle Scorchers for BBL sweep

Hastings (2L) took a match-changing 3/20 off his four overs. Source: Robert Prezioso / Getty Images

COMETH the crisis, cometh John Hastings.

The Melbourne Stars giant turned in a magnificent all-round performance today to ensure his team became the first in Big Bash League history to remain undefeated in the preliminary rounds.

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In beating the Scorchers by 20 runs, the Stars relegated Perth to an away semi-final against the Sydney Sixers - and made light of a team ravaged with seven players absent on various national team duties.

The Stars gave three players their first game of this year's BBL and had the bare minimum 11 to field a team.

But with stand-in skipper Brad Hodge blasting 61 off 43 on a slowish MCG wicket, the Stars managed 6-161 despite losing regular wickets.

Melbourne debutant Daniel Worrall, with his impressive outswing shape, picked up danger man Craig Simmons in his first over before Hastings came in to deliver another standout bowling effort.

Hastings took an extraordinary 3-20 from his four overs, during which there were also two run-outs as Perth scrambled to solve his accuracy which produced 10 dot balls.

He now has 12 wickets for 178 through the series, pressing his chances for a national recall after an important lower-order batting contribution, too.

Hastings and Peter Handscomb put on what turned out to be an invaluable unbeaten 38-run stand for the seventh wicket after coming together with just four overs to bat.

They made the Scorchers pay dearly for their loose balls, hammering three sixes off full-tosses to post the winning total.

Sam Whiteman (17), Adam Voges (29) and skipper Simon Katich (30) each contributed in the run chase.

But none could control the required run rate as wickets fell constantly.

Stars newcomer Mohammad Hafeez, just 16 hours after his plane arrived from Pakistan, looked admittedly a little short of a run.

He played an immaculate cover-drive after using his feet to plunder Michael Beer and get off the mark with a boundary, raising Stars' fans hopes.

But the world's No.2-ranked all-rounder fell victim next ball to a superb comeback from Beer, who turned one viciously and drew the edge to Adam Voges at first slip.

He looked serviceable more than deadly with the ball, returning figures of 0-22 from his three overs.

RELIVE ALL THE ACTION FROM THE MCG WITH OUR LIVE BLOG!

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I'll be right for Round 1: Selwood

Joel Selwood signs some autographs. Source: Mike Dugdale / News Limited

GEELONG captain Joel Selwood has declared himself a certain starter for round one despite fronting up to training in a moon boot.

The skipper had surgery on his right foot in Brisbane last week and spent yesterday's session on the sidelines, signing autographs.

SUPERCOACH BEST BUYS: Part 1

SUPERCOACH: Should we leave Ablett out?

INJURED CAT: Motlop off to London knee guru

But the optimistic Selwood said he would be back running next week and would "absolutely" be ready for Geelong's opening home-and-away match against Adelaide at Simonds Stadium on March 20.

"It actually looks a lot worse than what it is," he said, playing down the moon boot as a precaution.

"I'll be out there running, hopefully, this time next week."

After trying to manage his foot issue this month, Selwood and club medicos decided on surgery last Wednesday.

"You have niggles all the time but it probably got to a stage where I just couldn't keep going," he said.

Joel Selwood's foot in a moon boot. Source: News Limited

"It was niggling too much for January.

"I just had a little accessory in the foot that needed to be taken out. It was a really minor surgery."

Cats football manager Neil Balme told SEN yesterday the injury was not structural, rather involving a "little muscle and a tendon that they could attend to pretty simply".

Selwood said he should be fully fit in about three weeks, not ruling out playing the NAB Challenge game against Melbourne in Alice Springs late next month.

Mitch Brown and Tom Hawkins wrestle at training. Source: News Limited

But the gun midfielder did guarantee his on-field presence for Geelong's season opener.

"Round one? Yeah, absolutely," he said.

Quick to find a silver lining, Selwood said his teammates could benefit from his brief absence.

"It's good for the group also, having me off the training track and not barking at them all the time," he said.

"There's different leaders that we need to stand up right now and they're doing a great job of that."

However, the news for fan-favourite Steven Motlop might not be as bright, after the half-forward flew to London on Saturday to get treatment for knee tendinitis.

Selwood was reluctant to comment on his teammate's condition, as was ruckman Dawson Simpson.

Meanwhile, the more agile Cats completed yet another sweltering training session in front of a balmy public-holiday crowd of about 300 at Kardinia Park yesterday.

Selwood praised the playing group for pushing though the recent scorchers.

"They've been training really well," he said.

"They've just got to continue that on. It's an important month, January."

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European Transfer Centre

IT'S that time of the season where agents and clubs work overtime wheeling and dealing as teams fill the gaps in their rosters for the second-half of the 2013-2014 campaign.

Our ever-popular RUMOUR MILL will bring you the best gossip and speculation doing the rounds daily, while our European Transfer Centre will chronicle the major signings throughout the silly-season as they happen.

2014 JANUARY TRANSFER WINDOW MAJOR MOVEMENTS

January 25: Juan Mata. From Chelsea to Manchester United, $70m.

Antonio Nocerino. From AC Milan to West Ham United, loan

Marco Borriello. From AS Roma to West Ham United, loan

January 24: Lacina Traore. From AS Monaco to Everton, loan

Joshua McEachran. From Chelsea to Wigan Athletic, loan

Elliot Kebbie. From Unattached to Hull City, free.

January 23: Diego Forlan. From Internacional to Cerezo Osaka, undisclosed

Carl Valeri. From Sassuolo to Ternana, undisclosed

January 22: Tom Rogic. Celtic to Melbourne Victory, loan

January 19: Anderson. From Manchester United to Fiorentina, loan.

Kevin de Bruyne. From Chelsea to Wolfsburg, $33.9 (reports)

Jorginho Frello. From Hellas Verona to Napoli, undisclosed.

January 18: Shane Long. From West Brom to Hull, $13m.

Ryan Bertrand. Chelsea to Aston Villa, loan.

January 17: Ji Dong-Won. From Sunderland to FC Augsburg, undisclosed.

Nicky Maynard. From Cardiff City to Wigan Athletic, loan

January 16: Nikica Jelavic. From Everton to Hull, $12m

Nemanja Matic. From Benfica to Chelsea, $34m.

Kevin Phillips. From Crystal Palace to Leicester, loan.

January 15: Grant Holt. From Wigan to Aston Villa, loan.

Bryan Ruiz. From Fulham to PSV Eindhoven, loan

Stephen Ireland. From Aston Villa to Stoke City (was on loan, now permanent).

John Guidetti. From Manchester City to Stoke City, loan.

January 13: Jonás Gutiérrez. From Newcastle United to Norwich City, loan.

Michael Bradley. From AS Roma to Toronto FC, undisclosed fee.

12 January: Aidan McGready. From Spartak Moscow to Everton, undisclosed.

8 January: Keisuke Honda. From CSKA Moscow to AC Milan, Free.

Magnus Wolff Eikrem. From Heerenveen to Cardiff City, undisclosed.

January 6: Roger Johnson. From Wolverhampton to West Ham, Loan.

Neil Kilkenny (Australian). From Bristol City to Preston (was on loan, now a permanent deal).

January 5: Robert Lewandowski. From Borussia Dortmund to Bayern Munich (at end of Bundesliga season). Free.

January 1: Clint Dempsey. From Seattle Sounders to Fulham, Loan.

Bertrand Traore. From Association Jeunes Espoirs De Bobo-Dioulasso to Chelsea, Free.

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Live: Australia posts low total

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AUSTRALIA'S bowlers will need a huge effort to pull off an unlikely victory after the hosts were restricted to 9-217 from their 50 overs in the fifth and final one-day international against England in Adelaide.

George Bailey was the only batsman to pass 50 as the Aussies struggled for quick runs on a slow Adelaide Oval pitch.

GET A FULL SCOREBOARD, BALL-BY-BALL COMMENTARY, LIVE STATS AND PITCH MAPS IN OUR MATCH CENTRE.

England's bowlers deserve credit for their disciplined performance, with Stuart Broad (3-31) and Ben Stokes (3-43) taking advantage of the favourable bowling conditions.

Aussie skipper Michael Clarke, returning to the side after being rested from the fourth one-dayer in Perth, won the toss and chose to bat first but would have been questioning that decision when he was brought to the crease with the score 2-22.

Clarke (8) and Shane Watson (0) were out cheaply, with Shaun Marsh the only top order batsman to make a meaningful total before he was removed by Stokes for 36.

Glenn Maxwell (22), Matthew Wade (31) and James Faulkner (27) all made starts but none could convert this into a big score, with Australia amazing not able to hit a six for the entire innings.

Clarke, seamer Clint McKay, all-rounder Watson and spinner Xavier Doherty were all recalled to the side. Mitchell Johnson was rested while Steve Smith, Dan Christian and speedster James Pattinson were all axed.

For England, Gary Ballance was replaced by top order batsman Joe Root.

Australia leads the series 3-1.

Australia: Shaun Marsh, Aaron Finch, Shane Watson, Michael Clarke, George Bailey, Glenn Maxwell, Matthew Wade, James Faulkner, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Clint McKay, Xavier Doherty.

England: Alastair Cook, Ian Bell, Ben Stokes, Joe Root, Eoin Morgan, Ravi Bopara, Jos Buttler, Tim Bresnan, Stuart Broad, Chris Jordan, James Tredwell.

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