Shamrock Rovers are poised to offer Luke Dimech a new contract but that is unlikely to impede the Malta international from spending the rest of the current season with a local club.

A source very close to the player confirmed to The Times yesterday that Irish Premier League outfit Shamrock Rovers, with whom the 26-year-old defender has been playing for the past five months, are expected to inform Dimech of their offer today.

Although Dimech is still weighing up his options, given that the regular Premier League season in Ireland ends next Sunday and the transfer window shuts at the end of the month, the possibility of him spending the next four months with a Maltese club has been described as very realistic.

"The chances that Luke Dimech joins a Maltese club for the next four months are good at this stage," the source said. "Luke's sights are set on playing competitive football up to May. If he decides to return to Malta, he wants to sign for a club that is challenging for the honours."

Dimech, an automatic choice for Malta, is currently in England where he had discussions with a couple of clubs there with a view to securing pre-season trials next summer but in the meantime, a clutch of local top-flight clubs have been trying to snap up his services for the rest of this season.

Dimech, who holds dual citizenship after spending his teen years in the UK, is keen to continue playing up to May in order to maintain his match sharpness and fitness, also in view of Malta's up-coming international commitments.

Birkirkara and Valletta are leading the chase for Dimech. Sliema Wanderers, Dimech's former club, may also be tempted to make an offer but they are not seeking to strengthen their squad.

With Shamrock Rovers, Dimech has established himself as a first-team regular, prompting the club officials to offer him a new contract. The Rovers, third in the Irish Premier League, meet Longford Town in their last match on Sunday.

Meanwhile, Cesar Paiber, another player very much at the centre of transfer talk in the last few days, was released by Hamrun Spartans after an MFA Players' and Coaches' Complaints Board hearing on Tuesday.

The 32-year-old sweeper made a complaint to the MFA over unpaid wages from Hamrun Spartans.

Sources told The Times that Paiber was yesterday given the green light to join champions Hibernians.

Yesterday evening, Paiber was handed his new Hibernians kit at their ground in Corradino.

The Argentina-born Paiber, who also holds Maltese citizenship, is likely to make his Hibernians debut in Saturday's crunch match against Birkirkara at the National Stadium.

Mauro Brincat fancies move to Birkirkara

Another player who is being linked with a move away from Hamrun Spartans is promising youngster Mauro Brincat, the nephew of the Sliema and Malta international midfielder Joe Brincat.

Birkirkara, Sliema Wanderers and Valletta have expressed bold interest in Brincat but the U-19 Malta international fancies a move to the Stripes, his uncle's former club.

Contacted by The Times yesterday, Brincat confirmed that he has asked for a transfer but it remains to be seen whether Hamrun Spartans will accede to his request.

Having recently parted ways with Australian sweeper Mirko Jurilj, Pietà Hotspurs are hoping to sign up a new foreign player in the next few days.

Carlo Sacicia, an Italian midfielder, arrived in Malta yesterday and is expected to start training with the Hotspurs today.

A club spokesman told The Times that coach Ray Farrugia will take a close look at Sacicia in the next few days before making a decision whether to offer him a contract or not. Pietà have also agreed to take Darren Vella, who was on the books of Valletta, on loan until the end of the season.

Former Floriana midfielder Charles Sciberras yesterday officially joined Division One high-flyers Msida St Joseph after his registration papers were filed at the MFA.

MFA suspensions

The following Premier League players have been suspended for one match: Dennis Baldacchino, Alan Mifsud (both Marsa) and Pio Sciriha and Charles Sciberras (both Mosta).