Hyypia expects Dunk interest in January

Brighton & Hove Albion boss Sami Hyypia expects in-form defender Lewis Dunk to attract interest during the January transfer window.

Dunk, having impressed for Brighton this term, is reportedly attracting interest from the English Premier League.

The 22-year-old defender, whose current deal at the Falmer Stadium is due to expire at the end of the season, has already scored four goals in 12 league appearances for the Seagulls, who are currently just two points above the drop zone.

Hyypia is hoping the club can keep hold of their prized asset, and rightly so.

Should the Seagulls’ lose Dunk in January, the  club’s supporters will likely be cheering on a third-tier club come next season.

“I’m very happy that he is playing well and he has been a very important player for us.

“I would be surprised if the interest wasn’t there but I hope he stays here and keeps playing like he’s playing.

“It’s very important you keep your best players.

“I know it’s not always easy to do that and the players sometimes have different ideas or goals they want to achieve but we are trying to do everything we can to keep the best players here.”

Fulham prepared to sanction Trotta loan

English Championship strugglers Fulham F.C. are prepared to allow out-of-favour forward Marcello Trotta to secure a loan move away from Craven Cottage.

Trotta, who joined Fulham after leaving Manchester City in 2009, has made just three first-team appearances for the Cottagers, having spent the bulk of the past two seasons on loan at League One side Brentford.

The former Napoli youth striker, 22, does not appear to be in the club’s long-term plans following the summer arrivals of Matt Smith and Ross McCormack.

“Marcello is a player I know well from the U18s and U21s,” said Fulham caretaker manager Kit Symons.

“There’s been a couple of potential loans and he’s looking to go out. There’s definitely mileage in that.

“Footballers who are not playing are not much good to anyone and they won’t be happy themselves.

“We need to get the appropriate games programme for every player.”

It is just a matter of time before a club in Italy or England makes a move for Trotta, who submitted an unsuccessful transfer request to force a move away from West London in the summer.

The 22-year-old Italian forward has bagged 22 goals in 69 appearances in all competitions for Brentford over the past two seasons.