Milan Mandaric Rumours thread

[leicesterlass]

Roy Keane is preparing to hijack a bid from Leicester City for Scunthorpe United striker, Billy Sharp. Sharp, 20, signed for The Irons from Sheffield United last year and has taken League 1 by storm this season - leading the charts with 15 goals in 21 appearances.

A deal of about £1.5m is expected to be completed during the January transfer window.

Meanwhile, Sunderland have also been linked with another loan move for current Newcastle loanee, Giuseppe Rossi. The Man Utd & USA striker was the subject of rumours during the summer when a loan deal to Wearside was expected to be completed.

Also, Falkirk loanee, Anthony Stokes, looks set to stay at the SPL outfit until the end of the season after Arsene Wenger ruled out the sale of the striker. A great deal of Championship clubs, including Sunderland, were thought to be interested in the Irishman who has netted 13 times for Falkirk this season.

[leicesterlass]

Birmingham ready to off load
midfielder to Blackburn or Leicester ?
Injuries has been the story of David Dunn's football life, and today Daily Mirror reports that the former Blackburn player could return to Ewood Park.

Leicester City is another club who will be financially strengthened with new owner Milan Mandaric coming in, and Dunn could be a target.

Both Leicester and Blackburn could gamble on Dunn and hope that the player can stay away from injuries. The problem for Dunn is that a competition with Tugay and Savage could be too much to handle, and the certainty of first team football at Leicester could be more tempting.

[leicesterlass]

Hull City hope to announce a new manager by next Monday - but the signs are it will not be Iain Dowie.

Chairman Adam Pearson has narrowed his choice down to three clear favourites, but refuses to reveal their identity.

He will hold interviews with two of the three candidates tomorrow, with one a proven Championship manager and the other with less experience.

Caretaker boss Phil Brown still has a chance of the full-time role but much will depend on the outcome of Saturday's game against Cardiff.

A win will boost his chances of replacing Phil Parkinson, but Pearson appears to be swinging towards the experienced candidate, who he will give a second interview to tomorrow.

Pearson said: "We have held interviews this week and I hope to be in a position to make a decision by late Sunday or, more likely, Monday morning.

"If I can bring in a manager and make a decision as early as possible it will be for the good of the club."

Dowie has fallen out of the running and now appears set for Leicester, with the £25m takeover by Milan Mandaric set to go through in the next couple of days.

The Walkers Stadium now appears to be Dowie's most likely destination with the millions of the former Portsmouth chairman holding more sway than the limited spending power available at the KC.

Pearson has refused to confirm the details or the identities of any of the candidates other than Brown, but the Mail understands that Ronnie Moore is not in the running along with Joe Royle, Kevin Blackwell and Kevin Keegan.

Having seen the club's fans buoyed by speculation linking City with Dowie, the proven Championship manager may not be the big name fans would like.

It appears Dowie may have used Hull's interest to speed up Leicester's interest, despite already having Rob Kelly in situ as manager.

Meanwhile, Brown hopes a bumper home crowd will inspire his City team to kick-start their bid to avoid relegation.

A near capacity crowd is expected following Pearson's decision to reduce ticket prices for the visit of Cardiff, Brown's first game in charge at the KC.

Brown hopes his players can feed off the atmosphere created by City's supporters and improve their dismal home record of just two wins at the KC this season.

"Confidence is low and I've got to try and alleviate that pressure," Brown told the Mail.

"There should be 22,000 or more there on Saturday and that will create a great atmosphere and hopefully that will inspire the players to play good football.

[GresleyRam©®™]

All sounds like paper talk to me! Why would Billy Sharp want to play in Div 1 again next season??

Dowie would be ok i suppose, and Dunn is just a sicknote waiting to happen!! Makes me laugh, cos the takeover isnt even done yet!

[leicesterlass]

Very true Gres.

Mandaric is at the game on Saturday again though so the deal must be well on it's way and to be honest anyone we're linked with is better than the current shower we've got!

[GresleyRam©®™]

leicesterlass said:

Very true Gres.

Mandaric is at the game on Saturday again though so the deal must be well on it's way and to be honest anyone we're linked with is better than the current shower we've got!

True....

I bet January cant come round soon enough for you! Kelly must know he's a gonna.....and that cant be helping the team at the moment! Big game for you on saturday!

[leicesterlass]

Huge game for us on Saturday, never thought I'd say that when we're playing Barnsley at home!

I dunno though Gres, might spur the team on a bit because Mandaric won't be scared to get rid of them as well as possibly Kelly so it could work in two ways I guess.