Tomorrow’s News of the World is carrying what looks like the most sensational Sven story yet. He blows the whistle on England, Beckham, Owen etc, and it looks as though the FA will be forced to part company with the Swede before the week is out. Watch this space…

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The club have announced that Joe Broad has had his contract terminated “by mutual consent”.

The departure of the enigmatic midfielder comes as no real surprise, as, in a season and a half, he has only made ten starts and five substitute appearances and, quite frankly, has never looked like a player capable of performing at this level.

It does beg the question, however, of the club’s judgement in offering him a two year contract extension less than 12 months ago (along with the also out-of-favour Kris Taylor), which has, presumably, now had to be paid off.

Back to League action tomorrow with a very, very different looking team from the last home game as Manager Paul Merson decides to change the squad round completely after all of the away day failures and the departure of bright young talents Fryatt and Bennett.

From the last home League line up against Blackpool, out have gone:- Fryatt, Staunton, Leitao and Kris Taylor, along with Daryl Taylor, Bennett and Harkness and in have come James, Leary, Timm and Smith, with more possible on the way!

Paul Merson’s line up is problematical, to say the least. All of the long term injuries have now cleared up, with the exception of Darren Wrack, of course, so he has masses to choose from. I’d expect a line up of (more signings not withstanding):-

Murphy (in his last game unless an agreement is reached), Pead, Roper, Gerrard, Fox, Wright, Osborn, Leary, Smith, Timm, James, with Constable, Standing, Westwood, Oakes and Demontagnac on the bench. The only concern there is where are the goals going to come from, which is why Merson’s main priority is a replacement striker for Matt Fryatt, a signing which is fairly close and may even happen this afternoon.

Colchester, impressive and flying high, have just two real injury doubts with forward Marino Keith and defender Stephen Hunt (both ankle) out. They have been strengthened this week, however, with the signing of old “friend” Tony Thorpe, he of 137 league goals in 364 appearances for his 8 clubs.

Colchester’s top scorer is much travelled Scot Chris Iwelumo, but the star of the side and the man who makes them tick is former Blackburn midfielder Neil Danns. Stop him (not easy) and you stop them playing.

Walsall are, of course on a great run of form at home, but cannot take their opponents lightly. They have won 4 and drawn 1 of their last six away from home and won in the FA Cup at Championship high flyers Sheffield United last week. That is the kind of result that can work both ways, however, and I’m sure Merson and his players will be hoping that Colchester are distracted and that Manager Phil Parkinson will be trying to ensure that it will not be the case. All the same, I’ll go for a narrow home win.

The Official website says that we are about to say goodbye to Steve Staunton.

Roy Whalley has been in talks with representatives of the Football Association of Ireland about releasing Staunton from his contract in order for him to take over as the national team Manager.

An “amicable settlement” has been agreed which leaves the way open for Steve Staunton to take the job.

“My discussions with John Delaney were very amicable and we are very pleased with the way in which the FAI have dealt with this issue,” said Whalley. “I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Steve Staunton when he is officially given the post and wish him and the FAI every success for the future”.

The club have denied the reported figure of £60,000 compensation for his release and the BBC are now saying that the figure is close to “£20,000″.

It looks as if one of the strikers Merson is interested in is, indeed, as had been rumoured on the messageboard, Sheffield Wednesday’s Lee Peacock.

Merson, in an interview on WM, he is close to tying up a deal with an unknown striker.

He added “He is trying to get a package from his current Sheffield club”, before covering himslef and changing it to “He is trying to get a deal sorted with his club before making his move permanent”.

Peacock has been told by Sturrock that he is not wanted at Wednesday.

Peacock is 29, 6 foot and has a career record of League Starts 304 (65 sub) 100 goals, plus 56 cup starts (all competitions) and 16 goals.

As we revealed on this site yesterday, Paul Merson has now admitted his interest in Chester City’s Ryan Lowe. But Lowe isn’t the only player at the club he wants!

With striker Matty Fryatt and defender Julian Bennett having been sold to Leicester and Nottingham Forest respectively - for reported combined fees totaling an initial £450,000 - Merson is now in the market for new recruits.

Merson confessed Chester striker Lowe and midfielder Ben Davies were on his shopping list after missing out on Jon Parkin, who has joined Hull from Macclesfield.

He said: “Ben Davies’ agent phoned me up and I said he would be a player I’d be interested in - and I’m interested in Ryan Lowe too.

His quote about Parkin, however, is interesting, in view of his comments on WM about getting some of the cash from the Fryatt and Bennett sales:-

“But the thing about the boy Parkin is Macclesfield had already turned down a £50,000 bid from one club and they were then offered £75,000 which was too much for us. I know he’s earning more than any of my lads here.”

There are some persistant rumours in the media that Walsall are taking an interest in Chester City’s Ryan Lowe.

The former Shrewsbury and Burscough forward, is a 26 years old, Liverpool born 6 footer. He has scored 16 goals in 30 starts, plus 2 as a sub, for Chester and had 32 in 101 League starts for Shrewsbury Town.

The downside to him is his disciplinary record, having picked up 6 yellows and 2 reds so far this season.

The downside as far as the club is concerned is that Chester want a £100,000 fee for him, which the Saddlers are, apparantly, trying to negotiate around.

The Express and Star has said today that Merson’s attention has now definately turned towards getting in a striker and Lowe would fit the bill, despite playing wide for much of this season. The paper does say, however, that we will not be making any moves to sign Julian Joachim.

The Express and Star is reporting that we have signed Bristol City’s left winger/central midfielder Grant Smith on loan.

His previous clubs are Swindon Town, Plymouth Argyle, Halifax Town, Sheffield United, Clydebank, Livingston, Hearts, Reading, Wycombe Wanderers.

The much-travelled left-footed midfielder joined City on a Bosman free transfer in the summer of 2005 from Swindon. Smith opted to join City after turning down similar approaches from Sheffield Wednesday and Leeds United, but has been unable to break into the team. He has started only 5 games this season in all competitions, with another 7 substitute appearances.

He’s 6 feet 1 and 12 and a half stones.

Taken from his on line diary:

“I am delighted to announce that this afternoon I have signed for Leicester City, subject to passing my medical.

It goes without saying that this is a fantastic move for me and a wonderful opportunity to develop my career at a higher level. As I’ve said in the past, a move to the Premiership would not have been in my best interests at this stage, but I certainly feel comfortable moving back up into the Championship.

There were other clubs interested in signing me, but once I’d had the chance to take a look at the training ground and the fantastic Walker’s Stadium, it became evident to me that Leicester City are a Premiership club in everything but name. The playing staff here is also of the highest calibre, likewise the management team, and I can’t wait to join up with the lads for my first training session tomorrow.

Finally, I’d like to say a big thank-you to everyone at Walsall for looking after me so well since the age of nine. I will always be indebted to the club for giving me the opportunity to become a professional footballer and I wish them all the very best for the rest of the season and, indeed, the future. But as one chapter closes, another opens, and I’m looking forward to hopefully having the same success at the Walker’s Stadium that I did at the Bescot”.

The Burton Albion fanzine, Clough The Magic Dragon has said that Kris Taylor will be rejoining the Conference outfit.

The Walsall midfielder, who had a successful loan spell at the Brewers last season, has given the fanzine an exclusive interview in which he says he will be rejoining them on loan. They did ask him if the deal could become permanent, but he refused to comment, saying he still has a year on his Walsall contract.

He will, of course, be cup tied for the trip to his former club at Old Trafford in the Cup replay.