Tigana lining up return for Cruyff

Fulham manager Jean Tigana is preparing a £2million raid on Spanish side Alaves to bring former Manchester United midfielder Jordi Cruyff back to England.

Tigana sent technical director Franco Baresi to check on the 28-year-old as Alaves took on First Division Portsmouth at Fratton Park on Saturday. Cruyff quit English football in the summer of 1998 after making just 26 League appearances in four disappointing seasons at Old Trafford.

Southampton striker Agustin Delgado has failed to arrive for pre-season training after missing his flight from South America.

The Ecuador international, 28, was due back yesterday after refusing to report for training with the rest of the squad a fortnight ago.

To add to Saints' woes they lost 3-2 in a friendly at Luton last night after Chris Marsden and Jo Tessem had put them 2-0 up.