Former SC Magna striker Matt Luzunaris is on the verge of signing with Austrian Bundesliga stalwarts Rapid Vienna, following a recent trial with their amateur squad.

Charles Kazlauskas has begun the 2009 Jupiler League pre-season with a new club following his off-season move from TOP Oss to regional rival Helmond Sport.

Mikkel Diskerud faces the toughest challenge in his young career when Stabaek head north to face Danish champions FC Copenhagen on Wednesday in the third round of Champions league qualifying.

MARTIN O'Neill has been left frustrated by striker Nathan Delfouneso missing Aston Villa's pre-season programme because of England Under-19 commitments.

LIVERPOOL defender Alvaro Arbeloa claims he could complete his return to Real Madrid within days in a £3.5million deal. Arbeloa, along with team-mate and compatriot Xabi Alons

was made at Hampden yesterday.

MANCHESTER United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has backed his club to cope without Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo.

FC TWENTE coach Steve McClaren admits it will be tough for his side to match their achievements of last season, let alone to improve on it.

PORTSMOUTH manager Paul Hart has moved to fill the gap left by the sale of Peter Crouch by making an approach to Cardiff about striker Ross McCormack.

WIGAN Athletic manager Roberto Martinez is predicting a bright future for youngster James McCarthy.

ALEX Miller has been sacked as coach of Japanese side JEF United Chiba.

THE Los Angeles Galaxy fan who jumped on to the field during an exchange between David Beckham and the home crowd has had his lifetime ban from the stadium rescinded.

MANCHESTER City are confident of securing Kolo Toure's transfer from Arsenal by the end of this week in a move which would take manager Mark Hughes' spending this summ

ST JOHNSTONE held off a spirited Cowdenbeath fightback to notch a narrow victory at Central Park.

RANGERS defeated SC Wiedenbruck 3-0 in Germany last night. Andrius Velicka broke the deadlock 20 minutes from time before young Spanish substitute Aaron notched twice to seal

KILMARNOCK passed up a number of opportunities, and Raith Rovers grabbed a draw with a late breakaway goal from substitute Lee Bryce.

NEW signing Gary Harkins handed Dundee victory over Forfar with a sublime free-kick. The £150,000 former Partick Thistle midfielder curled his effort into the top corner

PORTUGUESE trialist Marco Paixao boosted his chances of winning a move to Hamilton by netting a double in Accies' win over University College Dublin.

DAVID Goodwillie notched a stylish double for United in Inverness, while former Everton striker Danny Cadamarteri added a brilliant third goal.

WHAT is it about sport and that gut-wrenching sense of regret which lights a bonfire under dreams of glory?