This is the latest from the Mercury; Sven-Goran Eriksson has said he has no intention of selling Leicester City defender Sol Bamba. The Ivorian has been linked with a £2million move to Marseille, but Eriksson said City had not received an approach from the French side, nor would he welcome one. "I have heard that rumour for weeks but Marseille have not contacted us at all," he said. "I don't know what is behind that. We want to keep Bamba, we don't want to sell him. "There are a lot of rumours about players going out, but so far nothing. "The numbers are too big at the moment and we do have to sell some players, but I think all the players want to stay. "The ambition is to get into the Premier League and the players all want to be part of it." Eriksson was hopeful that South Africa defender Tsepo Masilela will pass a medical and join up with City during their tour of Sweden next week ahead of a season-long loan from Israeli side Maccabi Haifi. "I can't confirm he is definitely coming, but it might happen," said Eriksson. "The thing there is the medical, because he has been injured. "He has been on our list for a long time and we know he is a good player. But it is not done yet." Eriksson is also hopeful of bringing back Miguel Vitor and Ben Mee to the King Power Stadium for second loan spells after successful stays last season. Eriksson is close to an agreement with Benfica over defender Vitor, but admitted Manchester City defender Mee is a little reluctant so far. "I have spoken to (Benfica boss) Rui Costa and Vitor might come, and I am trying to get Ben but I think he is looking at all the signings we are making, and he wants to play regular football," said Eriksson. "It might happen, one or even both of them." Meanwhile, Eriksson has begun the search for Didi Hamman's successor as first-team coach, and admitted he might promote from within his current staff. Hamman only joined the club in February from MK Dons but left this week to become the manager of Blue Square Premier side Stockport County. "We didn't want to lose Didi because he is a good football man and good to have around," said Eriksson. "The players have a lot of respect for him, and they should have as well. "I can understand because he has the chance to be a manager just a couple of years after he has stopped playing. He wants to do that and I wish him good luck and thank him for what he has done for us. "I tried to convince him that it would be better for him to stay but he wanted to do it, so okay. "We have started to discuss it and maybe we will try to resolve it internally, maybe, but we haven't decided yet."
Eriksson is close to an agreement with Benfica over defender Vitor, but admitted Manchester City defender Mee is a little reluctant so far. "I have spoken to (Benfica boss) Rui Costa and Vitor might come, and I am trying to get Ben but I think he is looking at all the signings we are making, and he wants to play regular football," said Eriksson. "It might happen, one or even both of them." Interesting
I think (apart from a 20 a season striker) we can't give anyone a guaranteed slot, its called a "squad" Ben! TBH if Maselia falls through, i'd give him a permanent left back slot.
What´s the news on all our 'dead wood' we ain´t sold many so far have we ? Anyone got a up to date squad list ? Vitor will be a good player to have around again & if Tunchev is fit (latest news on him anyone) then, what with Mills & Bamba in the DEF aswell, we´ll be looking good at the back (on paper at least) Mee would be good but if it´s a no go then put it to bed. Where do we still need to strengthern ?
