STOKE CITY: AUSTIN ON POLE


09:40 - 20 June 2008



by Martin Spinks

Stoke's director of football John Rudge will deliver a glowing report on transfer target Rudolph Austin after taking one final glimpse before a probable plunge for the Jamaica international.

Rudge checked on the 22-year-old midfielder during a whistle-stop visit to the Carribean to see Jamaica thrash the Bahamas 6-0 to advance to the group stages of World Cup qualifying.



Austin's appearance in back-to-back senior internationals over the past week now leave him poised to meet all red-tape requirements ahead of a move to England.

Stoke must now decide whether to make a move for a defender-cum-midfielder they have been tracking for the best part of 12 months.

"Rudolph did well enough," said Rudge, "even though you have to take into account they were far superior to the Bahamas.

"He started off in a midfield holding role, but they rotated a lot during the game."
Austin has already trained with Stoke during several trips to the Britannia after teaming up with compatriots Ricardo Fuller and Demar Phillips.

Fuller initially recommended both Phillips and Austin, but injuries prevented the latter playing the requisite number of competitive internationals to meet work permit requirements.

According to reports in the Caribbean, a deal for Austin could involve Stoke paying his Jamaican club Portmore United £1m.

Rudge, meanwhile, also used his flying visit to Jamaica to check on the progress of Fuller after he pulled up with a knee injury during an international friendly against Grenada last week.

Reports initially suggested the possibility of a long lay-off following damage to the lateral meniscus ligament in his left knee.

But a leading doctor with the Jamaican FA has told The Sentinel that an initial scan has not shown serious damage and he will now go to America to see leading specialist Dr Richard Steadman for a precautionary examination.

And Rudge revealed: "We don't think it is serious, but I think Ricardo is due in America on Monday for his check-up. We obviously want to make sure and find out the score with his knee at the earliest available opportunity.

"He seems OK in himself about it and was certainly walking all right when I met him."

Stoke are still awaiting confirmation of two friendlies against the Bahrain national team and German outfit Nuremburg during their week-long stay in Austria between July 19 and 26.

ROBBIE EARLE: EURO BARGAIN BUYS COULD FIT BILL
09:40 - 20 June 2008



I See my old gaffer, John Rudge, has headed out to the Euros to track some affordable talent to give Stoke City's Premier League hopes a boost.

A waste of time and a bit of a jolly for Rudgie? I don't think so, but with all due respect there are only certain names he can go after.

A David Villa or an Andrei Arshavin are certainly non-starters at the Britannia Stadium come August. And I don't think Stoke are going to be chasing too many players from the French and Italian squads either.



But I hear John watched the Poland and Austria game, among others, which may have proved a fruitful exercise. While both countries didn't have good tournaments, there are one or two names within the Polish ranks who would be useful acquisitions.

Keeper Artur Boruc had a good tournament in my opinion. He kept the score down against Croatia and looks a feasible recruit, considering Stoke are in the market for a keeper.

With him playing in Scotland at Celtic, the carrot of the Premier League would be worth dangling. As it would with attacking left-back Dariusz Dudka.

Playmaker Roger Guerreiro also stood out. He is a Brazilian with an EU passport, which would make him an attractive signing and a realistic one, bearing in mind he is plying his trade in the Polish League with Legia Warsaw.

The good thing about Brazilians is they are used to travelling and I'm sure the lure of the English game would be attractive.

Giant Czech striker Jan Koller is a more proven name, admittedly at the end of his career, but the sort of player who would enhance most frontlines.

His 55 goals in 90 internationals speaks for itself. Koller's not the most mobile and you would have to pick players to operate around him. But he's a big name and if you put him in the right combination, then he's going to be a threat.

At the other end of the market, there is a familiar face in the shape of Colin Kazim-Richards.

Hull are reported to be interested in the former Brighton and Sheffield United youngster, who has proved a hit after a move to Fenerbah??e.

There is talk about him wanting to come back to the Premier League and you'd think there is still more to come from him. You know what you're getting, even if it's not quite a surefire hitter like Koller.

Another one I'd consider would be Holland's Orlando Engelaar.

He looked impressive on the left of midfield and is one Stoke may be able to get because he doesn't play for a particularly big club - Twente Enschede.

I was speaking to Bolo Zenden about him and he reckons he would cost between £3 and £4m.

He's 27 and knows his way around. But you have got to be careful. You have to look at players in your price range and be wary fees are not being inflated because they have played well in Euro 2008.

You have to get players in who can do a job and take into account the wages as well, because these guys aren't coming cheaply.

A part of Rudgie's task will involve background stuff and not just relying on the games over there.

You always get players, such as Milan Baros, who play differently with their country than they do for their club.

John has also taken in the Jamaican sun - and that is another good recruiting area.

I am sure, after Ricardo Fuller's success over here, there are more Jamaicans who could cut it at the top. And don't discount the rest of the Caribbean. We have seen an influx of Trinidians in recent years, and the likes of Carlos Edwards and Kenwyne Jones have shown they are good enough in top company.

Sometimes you should do some more research before making blanket statements, Rudolph Austin was actually signed to stoke last year, However work permit problems cancelled the move. Stoke are not in a position to loan out players they need right away, as they are a smaller club. Jamaica are rank outside the top 70 countries in the FIFA world rankings, making it difficult for any Jamaican to get a chance in England right now.

Save for those who already have their contracts secure, or are already in England long enough to secure their British passport, ie; Bibi & Fuller, everyone else will have problems, Donavon Ricketts is going through that right now. Lincoln man we expect better.

The man right you must do your research first before you come around here talking about stoke must put up or shut up. That kind of talk is indicative of the approach some men take where they run their mouths without any real knowledge. As was stated stoke made an approach but was denied and if you understand the policy and the politics behind football transfers you would surely realize that stoke city fc is not in any position to benefit or demand that certain players get permits.


Like someone said they are a small club and will have to hope austin gets his permit, otherwise they have their back up plans i am sure. But whoever said they were obliged to buy him, last time i check no man can tell me how fi spend my money so who really a fool who now?