Blues poised to sign Pedrinho, Alcorse

The January transfer window officially opens on Friday but some clubs have already concluded deals in order to register their new recruits in the first days of next month.

Beleaguered Sliema Wanderers are set to complete the signings of Pedrinho and Julio Alcorse in the next few days. The Blues have decided to go for two foreign players with previous experience of Maltese football after they parted ways with Brazilian goalkeeper Gustavo Lima and Nigerian striker Henry Isaac.

Gustavo and Isaac joined Sliema last summer but both failed to make an impact and were subsequently released. Brazilian playmaker Pedrinho is making a return only eight months after scoring in his last game for Msida St Joseph, the relegation decider against Tarxien Rainbows which the Saints lost in a penalty shoot-out.

Alcorse was first lured to Malta by Hibs but spent the last two seasons with Marsaxlokk in the Premier League. The lanky Argentine forward was also on target in his final appearance for the southseasiders, a 2-1 defeat to Floriana on May 23.

Pedrinho and Alcorse are expected to undergo a medical today before sealing their move to Sliema.

Stephen Azzopardi, the Sliema coach, will doubtless hope that Pedrinho, who last played in Israel, and Alcorse will supply the attacking spark that his struggling team so badly need to revive their disappointing league campaign. With 13 points from 11 matches, Sliema are in danger of missing out on a place among the top six.

Qormi, the Premier League leaders, have virtually secured Championship Pool football with seven games to spare as Saturday's 2-1 victory over Sliema took them on the 25-point mark.

Although Qormi have already accomplished their mission, coach Jesmond Zerafa is adamant that his team will not ease up in the second half of the season. Zerafa is keen to strengthen his squad next month and has identified Valletta midfielder Stefan Giglio as his main transfer target.

Reports suggest that Qormi and Valletta have already held talks over Giglio's move but a deal has yet to be agreed. Zerafa is also an admirer of Marsaxlokk left-back Carlo Mamo who is also being courted by Tarxien, his former club.

A few weeks ago there were persistent rumours that Qormi were thinking about bringing in a new foreign player to replace Alfred Effiong but the latter's lively performances of late have convinced Zerafa to keep faith with the Nigerian striker.

Justin Grioli is another player who could change club next month. The Valletta right-back has long been linked with a move to Birkirkara and a re-union with former City coach Paul Zammit who rates the youngster very highly. Tarxien have also sounded out Valletta about Grioli's availability.

For their part, Valletta have already agreed a deal with Irish striker Declan O'Brien who is expected to make his first appearance for the Citizens in tomorrow's Christmas Cup tournament which also features champions Hibs and Serie A team Parma.

Etienne Barbara is mulling an offer from a second division club in Cyprus. The 27-year-old striker joined Hibs on a one-year deal last summer but his contract has a clause allowing him to leave the club for a foreign team.

At Floriana, Zoran Popovic took charge of his first training session on Sunday but the Greens have yet to officially confirm the Serb's appointment as their new coach.

Popovic, who had a six-month spell in charge of the Greens last season, has long been regarded as the leading candidate to replace Irishman Roddy Collins who quit the Greens two weeks ago. Collins was last week named manager of Irish Premier League club Cork City.

Meanwhile, Birkirkara midfielder George Mallia could be out for several weeks after injuring his calf during the warm-up of Sunday's match against Tarxien.

Mallia was due to have a scan yesterday evening to determine the nature and extent of his injury.