Intrigue

Fulop left out of Black Cats senior party

Sunderland goalkeeper Marton Fulop will spend the next few days on reserve team duty despite Craig Gordon's broken arm.

The 27-year-old Hungary international was among a 17-man party which headed for Scotland as the senior squad set off for Portugal.

Fulop has made no secret of his desire to leave the Stadium of Light in the search for regular first-team football, although his position looked to be unclear last week when it was revealed Scotland international Gordon has suffered a recurrence of a lower arm fracture in training.

But amid speculation England veteran David James could be a short-term target for manager Steve Bruce as he decides whether or not to entrust youngsters Trevor Carson and recent arrival Simon Mignolet with the goalkeeping duties for the start of the Barclays Premier League season, the former Tottenham man was not among the group of players who flew out to the Algarve.

So fantasy managers might get James at Sunderland and/or Fulop at another club. Veeery interesting.

Schwarzer to Arsenal

Passing the torch?

Mark to spark keeper merry-go-round

Fulham will reportedly move for West Ham's Robert Green if Mark Schwarzer joins Arsenal, with the Hammers tipped to move for Asmir Begovic.

Schwarzer, 37, is expected to complete a switch across London to The Emirates following the end of Australia's World Cup adventure.

The former Middlesbrough custodian will cost the Gunners around £3.5million, according to the News of the World, and the Cottagers will put that fee towards a deal for England blunder keeper Green.

Have we been asleep at the wheel, distracted by the World Cup, or just don't trust the News of the World?

Other than the speculation above, other reports have David James going to Fulham instead of Green.   I'm a big fan of Begovic's and would love to see him get a starting gig.  Of course I would love to see him move to Arsenal and be their starting keeper for 3, rather than Schwarzer for between 9 and 12.  Or maybe Benaglio or some other keeper from outside the Premier League.  Just for fantasy team cost purposes.

However it shakes out, it's certain to make for a more interesting August with lots of dominoes falling.

Blooper Reel

Divot or no divot, James is a step slow - retreating actually - in coming out for this ball.