Sliema`s Anonam on trial at AJ Auxerre

Sliema Wanderers` midfielder-cum-striker Orosco Anonam is on trial at French Division One club AJ Auxerre.

The 22-year-old Nigerian joined Auxerre`s first team for training on Tuesday after flying to France the day before. Anonam is expected to return to Malta tomorrow evening to play in Sliema`s Rothmans Trophy quarter-final tie against Pietà Hotspurs on Saturday.

Contacted by The Times at his hotel in France, Anonam said: "The feedback from the AJ Auxerre coaching staff has been very encouraging so far. The league finished last weekend but AJ Auxerre have a friendly against Sedan on Friday."

AJ Auxerre have been gauging Anonam`s progress for several months after they were alerted to his potential by an agent.

In January, a technical delegation from the French club visited Malta to run the rule over the Nigerian in a league match against Valletta.

According to Anonam, Auxerre are looking to reinforce their attack especially since their up-and-coming striker Djibril Cisse, called to France`s World Cup squad, is attracting the interest of a host of leading European clubs.

Cisse, a former U-21 national team member, was the league`s top-scorer with 22 goals.

"Auxerre don`t know the fate of their two main strikers, especially top scorer Cisse who forms part of France`s World Cup squad," Anonam said.

"I am trying to make the most of this opportunity and I think my chances of clinching a deal here are good.

"This is a very good club and they made me feel at home straightaway. Auxerre have a lot of black players in their ranks and as soon as I arrived, the coach called up four Nigerians from the second team to make sure that I didn`t encounter any settling problems."

The Auxerre coaches are expected to have a closer look at Anonam in tomorrow`s friendly against Sedan before making a decision on his future.