Wigan Athletic boss Roberto Martinez says that former loanee Vladimir Stojkovic needs to impress at the World Cup to enhance his chances of a return to England.

The 26-year-old Serbia international goalkeeper struggled to make an impact with the Latics following his arrival from Sporting Lisbon, with Martinez still unsure over a permanent deal.

He told the Wigan Evening Post:"I was delighted to hear that the player would like to stay at the club having worked with us for the past six months.

"At the moment he has gone to the World Cup and we will not be looking at the situation until after the tournament.

"I know it's been tough for Vladimir to adapt to the Premier League, but I was delighted with his attitude.

"I have seen him play a couple of times for Serbia in the friendlies leading up the World Cup and he looks strong and sharp.

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"I am pleased he is going in to the competition in such a good shape and we'll assess that situation further down the line."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email

We are a mere three weeks from the start of the Premiership season and there has yet to be any big money signings from some of England’s top sides. Man United, Liverpool and Chelsea have bought but have spent relatively little, buying cautiously thus far. There is obviously a notable exception in Manchester City, who are looking to break all records in terms of spending and wages it seems.

City aside though, there hasn’t been a big flurry of activity from the heavy hitters. The signings that United, Liverpool and Arsenal have pulled off are good value buys rather than wow factor signings. In a league that was apparently flush with money a couple of years ago, some of the top clubs are not only low on funds but also saddled with massive debt. Manchester United are the most prevalent example.

It is looking more and more likely as the weeks go by that Manchester United will not be embarking on a spending spree this summer or anything of the sort. The noises from Fergie are that he is happy with his squad and there is no value in the market. This may be the case but he would undoubtedly have liked at least one signing. Whatever way you dress up the United midfield, the reality is that it is not good enough to challenge on all fronts. The loss of Hargreaves is a blow while Scholes and Giggs will only start a limited number of games.

The youngsters in United’s midfield have had their golden moments but Gibson and Possebon wouldn’t exactly strike fear into the likes of Michael Essien. The form of Carrick and Anderson has been poor and the latter is struggling with injury.

A creative midfielder must have been high on Fergusons agenda but a purchase seems less likely by the day. It shows have little money was around the Premiership last summer when Wesley Sneijder was available around 15m and no one came in for him. How Fergie would love to pay 15m for Sneijder now.

The point is that Ferguson has his hands tied behind his back to an extent. There is no denying that United lost massive quality when they sold Ronaldo and Tevez two years ago. When you look at that Champions League winning squad of 2008, the standard of the squad was of a higher calibre than the present one, no question. Along with the big departures, Scholes and Giggs are two years older. Fergie has been around long enough to realise that the club has taken a step back since back to back Champions League finals and it is largely due to the financial state of the club

Don’t get me wrong, there are the bones of a great squad at Old Trafford but they appear a player or two light. It will be interesting to see if Vidic goes, whether they delve into the transfer market.

It is clear that United don’t have the financial muscle they used to and the days of 30m signings seem a distant memory. It may be that Ferguson is still scorned by the Berbatov signing and the poor return received from the vast amount of money sent. It would be a massive surprise though if Ferguson genuinely doesn’t want to sign anybody.

Man City aside, the financial state of the Premiership is in a pretty poor state. Even Chelsea haven’t splashed out yet. You feel there may be a marquee signing left in them yet though. There are many contributing factors to the financial woes at Old Trafford but the fact remains that United were not saddled with 700m of debt before the Glazers arrived. Fergie said he doesn’t want to buy and is happy with his lot but somehow you don’t quite believe him.

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Written by Tom Fox

Read more of Tom’s work on his blog Glory Glory Man U and head to Simply Zesty for social media news.

When Alex McLeish announced he hoped his contract would soon be tied up, Birmingham fans must have breathed a heavy sigh of relief. That relief however must now be turning into a state of concern as with three days until the season starts, no deal has been done.

The Scottish tactician guided Blues’ to their best ever finish last season and endeared himself to the St Andrews crowds with the 12 game unbeaten run that saw him collect the Manager of the Month award for December.

His importance to Birmingham next season is unquestionable so why is it taking so long?

Perhaps the issue may surround transfer targets as whilst McLeish continues to express a desire to add to his squad, the board may not be willing to fund such activities with Big Eck’s future still up in the air.

Blues fans’ may begin to wonder whether the board are willing to meet McLeish’s wage demands now he has proved his worth as a Premier League manager but it wouldn’t really be too much to ask to increase his pay packet. It is reported that the Blues’ chief earns around £750,000 a year which is pittance in comparison to some managers in the league.

Securing the manager’s future would also send out the right message to any potential recruits, safe in the knowledge they are joining a stable club with ambition in abundance which was typified by their trip to the Far East to promote the club.

Nikola Zigic has revealed that McLeish was a huge part in him joining the club from Valencia and if players of his ilk are to continue to enhance the squad he has to stay put.

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“I like the way he works, I am extremely confident in playing for him and as a person I think I will get on well with him,” said the Serbian frontman (Birmingham Mail)

If the contract saga continues to rumble on for whatever reason, other clubs will start to sniff around. Fulham had him on their list of candidates if a deal with former Manchester City manager Mark Hughes could not be struck and he is a 33/1 bet to become the new manager at Villa Park.

The links with other clubs are probably justified considering the length of time between McLeish saying he wanted the contract to be “nailed” before the new season and the stark reality of just how close that time is.

Manchester United legend Ryan Giggs has admitted that he would be interested in succeeding John Toshack as manager of the Wales national team.

The 36-year-old is the favourite to take charge when Toshack steps aside and is confident that he can combine that job with his continuing playing career with the Red Devils.

He told the Daily Telegraph:"If you go into management, the big job is to be in charge of your country and I'm no different in terms of thinking like that.

"At the moment it is difficult, because I still have commitments as a player, but I always use the Mark Hughes situation as an example.

"One minute he is playing for Wales and in the Premier League with Blackburn Rovers, then the next thing you know, he is managing his country.

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"Sparky never really planned for that."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email

Many Derby County fans would have been disappointed with the exit of striker Rob Hulse. The well-travelled striker has won promotion twice in his career and has been a purchase for teams who were promoted without his services. Now at Championship table-toppers Queens Park Rangers, he will hope to make it three promotions and have a second crack at the Premier League.

Indeed, the first game of the season showed some promise for Derby, who so far under Nigel Clough’s reign have had to endure a transitional period with a massive squad overhaul in the past 20 months in order to create a more manageable wage bill.

Clough, who left Burton Albion after 10 years of service, now faces a new challenge: to revive the fortunes of Derby and once again turn them into Premier League contenders.

An opening-weekend win at Leeds (the opener, scored by former Elland Road favourite Rob Hulse, was his last goal and appearance for the club) would have given fans early hope. The combination of Paul Green, Kris Commons and Hulse was particularly impressive. The latter of course was a key focal point to this attack and, as many Football League defenders will be aware, is more than a mere battering ram.

However, since the opening weekend of the Championship Hulse has been injured and Derby have had to endure two defeats and a draw at home to QPR. Such has been the extent of the injury list at Pride Park that former Exeter defender Dean Moxey has been used as a makeshift striker in variations of 4-3-3 and 4-2-3-1 formations.

Before discussing the importance of Rob Hulse’s departure to QPR, there are a number of factors that need to be considered. Hulse is now 30; although still more than capable at that age, he missed 16 games last season and has only played one so far in the current campaign. More crucial to the decision to sell Hulse was that the money on offer was too good to turn down for a striker with only nine months left on his contract, points highlighted by Derby executive chairman Tom Glick.

Hulse has been the top scorer for the Rams for the two previous seasons, chipping in with 28 league goals in his last three campaigns, and his departure will no doubt harm the Derby’s chances of promotion. In addition, Clough may have to re-think tactics; Dean Moxey cannot be relied upon for an entire season, and naturally as a defender he will not match Hulse’s prolific goal-scoring rate.

The departure of the 6ft 2in striker will not aid Derby’s aspirations this season, but the Midlands club are in no hurry.

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While Derby are in the middle of a five-year plan to reach the Premier League, 30-year-old Hulse’s aspirations for top-flight football are more immediate; and under new manager Neil Warnock who would bet against it happening this year.

Written By Carl Noyce

Played four, lost four and conceded twelve. This does not just represent West Ham’s worst start to a Premier League season but their worst start to a league campaign ever. Defensive frailties were in evidence again as the Hammers succumbed to the might of a Chelsea side which did not leave second gear, losing 3-1 at home. In the match day programme David Sullivan revealed the scale of the club’s debts in case anyone had forgotten. On the touchline, Avram Grant appeared forlorn and weary in what has already become an onerous campaign. But the Israeli said, “If you saw the level we played, it’s not a team for relegation.” Is Grant accurate in his analysis and what can be gleamed from this defeat?

Red…Yellow…Green…Shoot

Chelsea took the lead within two minutes as Michael Essien scored with an unmarked header from Didier Drogba’s corner. Poor marking was to blame but Robert Green was at fault for their second goal. Drogba struck a low free-kick straight at Green but the former Norwich keeper fumbled and Matthew Upson pounced on the loose ball. Rather than kicking the ball out for a throw-in, the England defender struck it against Salomon Kalou and the rebound looped into West Ham’s net. Upson should have reacted better but the focus was on Green’s ineffective handling. On Radio FiveLive the summariser, Pat Nevin said many teams will be looking to fire low shots at Green which awkwardly bounce at the last second. This will plausibly form the basis of many opposition team talks whilst his erratic form continues.

Scott Parker is worth every penny

The talismanic midfielder signed a new contract last week, keeping him at Upton Park until 2014. His wages have been enhanced and are believed to be somewhere in the region of £65,000 and £70,000 per week. This does not seem to tally with Sullivan’s talk of financial austerity. However, considering the relatively high wages of Benni McCarthy and Frederic Piquionne it is difficult to begrudge Parker of his increased pay packet. He scored a sumptuous volley from the edge of the box as the ball fell to him from Petr Cech’s punched clearance. He shaped to leather the ball but intelligently opted to carefully lift it over the traffic and into the far corner. It was a moment of exceptional quality from the former Newcastle captain who will be looking to boost his goal haul this season.

Obinna will be Cole’s striking partner

Victor Obinna made his debut on loan from Inter Milan against Chelsea, playing alongside Carlton Cole. Intermittently the two combined well as the Nigerian gave an impressive performance, regularly finding space in the opposition penalty area. He had two excellent opportunities in the first half, firstly receiving a chipped pass from Cole and volleying wide. The pacy forward then cut into the box from the left wing and unleashed a powerful right footed shot which curled narrowly beyond the far post. Considering the strength of the opponents, who had not conceded a league goal since April, it was an impressive performance. He showed elusive movement, strength, energy and speed. These characteristics will surely see him prosper in the PL.

Communication Problems

Two more players had league debuts for West Ham on Saturday, Lars Jacobson and the former Chelsea centre-back Tal Ben Haim. The side’s captain is a mainstay in central defence but has been paired with James Tomkins, Danny Gabbidon and Winston Reid this season with Manuel da Costa yet to return. These frequent changes are not breeding defensive meanness or effective relationships. The marking for the first goal was woeful and a driving run from Essien allowed him to score his second and Chelsea’s third as he met Paulo Ferreira’s cross under no pressure. The Israeli defender did seem comfortable at times and made a few impressive forward runs. Jacobson impressed in segments but arguably afforded too much room for Kalou and the rampaging Ashley Cole. Upon signing for the Hammers, the Danish international said he would relish their style of play and managed to get forward, make over-lapping runs and deliver teasing crosses.

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West Ham have their strongest squad in recent years

This was a claim made by Upson during their unbeaten pre-season campaign. A miserable start to the season should not obscure this view which carries some weight. Kieron Dyer came off the bench while other wide players, Pablo Barrera and Julien Faubert were unused substitutes. Junior Stanislas and Benni McCarthy did not even make the bench, displaying the range of options available to Grant. The quality of these players can be debated but it is critical that a manager has choices which have been lacking at the Boleyn in past years. With Jack Collison and Zavon Hines still to return from knee injuries, expect the team to get stronger as the season progresses.

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Sunderland are hopeful that England striker Darren Bent will be fit for Monday's Premier League fixture against Blackburn Rovers.

Bent missed England's Euro 2012 qualifier with Montenegro on Wednesday after picking up a groin problem while on international duty.

The seven-goal striker was immediately made a doubt for the trip to Ewood Park.

However, following scans on Bent's return to the north east, Black Cats boss Steve Bruce is upbeat about his chances of being passed fit.

"Darren's had a scan and his injury is not too serious," he told the club's official website.

"You're always concerned if a player picks up a groin injury.

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"If the game against Blackburn was this Saturday I'd say he had no chance of playing, but given that it's Monday he's got half a chance of being fit for it.

"We'll keep monitoring the situation and we'll see how he is come Monday."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email

If there is a better footballer in the World than Cristiano Ronaldo at this moment in time then I haven’t seen one, as his goalscoring exploits and performances for Real Madrid has seen him eclipse the likes of Lionel Messi for the crown. There is one thing being a good player in England; but doing it in technically the best league in the world is a much different feat altogether.

While his exploits on the pitch continue to leave supporters salivating in awe, his exploits off the pitch draws an equal amount of adulation as he continues to date some of the most beautiful women in the world. The latest women on the arm is the model Irina Shayk, who let’s be honest puts most of the Premier League wags in the shade.

Click on image below to see a gallery of Ronaldo’s latest lady

Tottenham firmly announced themselves on the European stage this week, with a comfortable 3-1 defeat of holders Inter Milan. After their impressive by ultimately futile, second half display at the San Siro two weeks ago, this performance had Tottenham legends of the past comparing the victory to some of the club’s most memorable nights.

During a busy week for Spurs, there was also enough time for a controversial late goal conceded last week, and a very interesting game of cat and mouse between Harry Redknapp and the Premier League.

Wednesday’s result has sent the blogging networks into overdrive. There are entries on Gareth Bale’s rise from statistical burden to world beater, Peter Crouch’s none too impressive strike rate since his move from Portsmouth and potential transfer targets for Spurs during January’s window.

As always we also have the best of the web.

Featured articles of the week

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The Premier League’s new comic strip # 2

Walcott and Bale finally fulfilling the hype

Why Peter Crouch needs to take a back seat

Four transfer targets for Tottenham to ponder

Another FIVE things we learnt from Tottenham’s demolition

How Inter star failed his transfer audition at White Hart Lane

Give technology an inch in football, then eventually it will take a mile

One DEAL that Daniel Levy has to get right

There’s simply no better inspiration for Gareth Bale to follow

Spurs, Liverpool, United…whose need for Real Madrid swoop is greater?

WAG Weekly: Bale scores a beauty…well sort off!

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Click here to see the Best TOTTENHAM BLOGS around the Web this week

Best of the Web

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Do you know your history? – Dear Mr Levy

Inter for supper: Trotters for lunch – Spurs Musings with JimmyG2

Bale, Taxis and Two Fiddy’s Up – Who Framed Ruel Fox?

Sign This Petition And Help Get Him Sacked – Harry Hotspur

Another fine mess Mr Clattenburg- Spurs Musings with JimmyG2

Wolverhampton Wanderers boss Mick McCarthy says that there was no fallout with wing-back Jelle Van Damme before he opted to return to Belgium to join Standard Liege.

The 27-year-old spent just a few months at Molineux, but McCarthy had no problems with the Belgium international during that time.

He told the club's official website:"There was no point in keeping him. When someone moves, why does it always have to be the case that someone has 'fallen out'.

"He is a good player and sometimes it just doesn't work out. This was one of those occasions.

"He came, he started in the team, he got injured in his first game and things haven't worked out for him personally.

"He had his family life and sometimes all those little things add up to the fact that it just doesn't work out and that's what happened.

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"I like Jelle and, when he played, he gave his all.

"But, if he wants to go back, then even if there is one per cent not totally committed to it, then why would I continue to play him when I've got lads who are totally committed?"Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email