Football news in brief: £8m Wickham lined up by Sunderland

Published on Tuesday 28 June 2011 20:17

Ipswich Town striker Connor Wickham is expected to undergo a medical with Sunderland today. The Black Cats have moved swiftly after submitting a formal offer in excess of £8 million for the 18-year-old and plan to carry out the checks as soon as possible.

In addition, Birmingham midfielder Craig Gardner is also on Wearside today for talks with manager Steve Bruce hoping for a major double breakthrough.

Socceroos to meet Wales in Cardiff

Wales will play Australia for the first time when the teams meet in Cardiff in August. Gary Speed's side will face the Socceroos at Cardiff City Stadium on Wednesday, 10 August. The FAW has also announced the dates of their final Euro 2012 Group G qualifiers. Montenegro will visit Cardiff City Stadium on 2 September, while Switzerland will visit Swansea's Liberty Stadium on Friday, 7 October.

Marseille keep tabs on Drogba

Marseille are interested in re-signing Didier Drogba but only if the club can afford to meet the Ivorian's wage demands. Drogba starred during his single season at the Velodrome before departing for Chelsea in a 24million move in 2004. The 33-year-old has a year remaining on his current deal at Stamford Bridge and it is not yet known if he is part of new manager Andre Villas-Boas' plans.

Dons secure return for midfielder Clark

Aberdeen last night hijacked Chris Clark's move to Kilmarnock and have taken the player back to Pittodrie instead.

The versatile midfielder was poised to sign a two-year deal with the Rugby Park club until Craig Brown made his move.

Now the product of the Dons youth academy will be returning to the team he spent over a decade with before a 200,000 move to Plymouth Argyle. That will be a major setback to Kilmarnock manager Kenny Shiels' plans for the new season but Brown couldn't be happier with the outcome.

Clark rejoins under freedom of contract and the veteran Aberdeen manager believes the 30-year-old will be a crucial addition following the loss of skipper Paul Hartley to injury last month. He made more than 230 top team appearances for the Dons before moving in January 2008 and returns with three years experience of playing in England.

"You could look high and low in Scotland and England and you would be pushed to get a better player at our level," said Brown last night.

Bolton alerted to Wright-Phillips

Bolton defender Zat Knight claims Shaun Wright-Phillips is keen on a move to the Reebok Stadium. Wright-Phillips started only two Barclays Premier League games for Manchester City last season and the midfielder came close to leaving the club in January. Knight, who believes Wright-Phillips would be willing to take a pay cut , said: "I always talk to Shaun and he's a very good friend of mine. And speaking to him, he'd love to come to Bolton."