Cathro keen to deal in Hughes

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IAN CATHRO wants to hand Aaron Hughes a new extended contract to keep him at Hearts.

The veteran defender arrived at Tynecastle in January and the Jambos head coach is keen to extend his initial six-month deal.

Cathro said: “We see the value in what Aaron brings to the group on a daily basis. I would be hopeful we could look at doing something.” ZANDER CLARK has signed a two-year extension to his existing contract at St Johnstone tying the 24-year-old keeper to the club until 2020.

Clark said: “I’m grateful to have this sort of security and peace of mind.” MANCHESTER CITY have targeted young France winger Kingsley Coman as part of their £200million summer rebuild.

Pep Guardiola brought Coman to Bayern Munich last season and is keen to sign the 20-year-old for City.

HUGHES wants to invest in youth at Stoke this summer. And that means Scotland stars Phil Bardsley, 31, and Charlie Adam, 31, along with England full-back Glen Johnson, 32, could go.

All their contracts are ending and Stoke boss Hughes said: “We will be carrying fewer senior players next year.” GARETH BALE’S agent Jonathan Barnett is considering selling his stable of stars to Chinese investors.

Up to four Chinese groups are interested in the Londonbased Stellar Group, whose clients include Real Madrid and Wales superstar Bale. BRENTFORD’S former Rangers midfielder Lewis Macleod is to spend two weeks in the USA stepping up his recovery from his seasonending cruciate ligament injury. MANCHESTER UNITED and Liverpool are going head to head in the race to sign Atletico Madrid’s £39mrated defender Jose Gimenez. NICK WALSH will referee tomorrow’s IRN-BRU Cup Final between Dundee United and St Mirren at Fir Park.

Other weekend referees: Championship – Ayr v Dumbarton, Craig Charleston; Hibs v Falkirk, Kevin Clancy; Morton v Dunfermline, Mat Northcroft, Raith v QoS, Colin Steven. BERWICK have opened contract talks with top scorer Steven Thomson.

China 1, South Korea 0; Syria 1, Uzbekistan 0; Qatar 0, Iran 1; Iraq 1, Australia 1; Thailand 0, Saudi Arabia 3; UAE 0, Japan 2; Papua New Guinea 1, Tahiti 3. (7.45 unless stated) Georgia v Serbia (5.0), Austria v Moldova, Rep Ireland v Wales.

Italy v Albania, Liechtenstein v Macedonia, Spain v Israel. Turkey v Finland (5.0), Croatia v Ukraine, Kosovo v Iceland. Germany v England (7pm). Austria v Hungary (10am), Czech Rep v Scotland (4pm). Preston Ath v Cumbernauld Colts (7.30).