WELL CLOSE
Steelmen hope to seal Ross return by the weekend
MOTHERWELL hope to seal the deal to bring Ross McCormack back to Fir Park by the weekend.
The 32-year-old striker wants to return to the club that gave him his launchpad to build a career in England with Cardiff, Leeds, Fulham and Aston Villa.
But first he’ll have to prove his fitness and get Villa to terminate their season-long loan agreement to farm him out to Aussies Central Coast Mariners.
McCormack is in Scotland having been granted permission to return home to continue his recovery from a knee injury that has ruled him out of action for the Mariners since November.
Reports in Australia state it’s doubtful he will return.
Mariners boss Mike Mulvey said: “He is an Aston Villa player and we are waiting to hear from them. We let him go back to get his injury further assessed as well as for compassionate reasons as he was missing his two children.
“As soon as we hear from Villa we will let everyone know.” Ryan Bowman has left Motherwell to sign for English League Two side Exeter.
The 27-year-old, who netted 14 times in 86 appearances, has been allowed to move on for an undisclosed fee as a replacement for former Aberdeen dud Jayden Stockley who looks set to clinch a £750,000 switch to Preston.
Bowman said: “As I was coming to the end of my contract with Motherwell I thought it was time for a change.” Sunderland boss Jack Ross says he is hopeful of adding a defender to his squad – on the same day as Celtic stopper Jack Hendry was linked with a loan move to the Black Cats.
The League One giants are keen on taking Hendry on loan for the rest of the season, as are Portsmouth and Bradford.
Ross said: “I’m hopeful we’ll manage to get a defensive player in. All being well I’d hope that will be concluded after the game at Charlton this weekend.” Cardiff and Burnley are battling to sign Matt Phillips from West Brom.
The Scotland winger has been in fine form in the Championship this term with five goals and six assists. Burnley also have an interest in Phillips who only has 18 months left on his contract. Ex-Partick skipper Abdul Osman has joined Falkirk until the end of the season, subject to international clearance.
The 31-year-old midfielder has been a free agent since leaving Greek Super League side Lamia in November and has been training with the Championship strugglers in recent months. Bairns boss Ray McKinnon said: “Abdul looks really fit and has played consistently at a good standard in the past few years.” Out-of-favour Real Madrid star Isco Alarcon has ruled out a move to England.
The midfielder has been linked to Man United and Chelsea after struggling to start under new boss Santiago Solari. But Isco said: “I’m not thinking of leaving in January. I’m very happy where I am.” Alloa’s on-loan striker Connor Shields is returning to Sunderland with other Scottish clubs keen to land him.