Ajax to cool Soetaers interest

VICTOR SIKORA`S move to Ajax could see the Amsterdam club shelve their interest in Roda JC`S Tom Soetaers.

Ajax swooped to sign Sikora from Vitesse Arnhem on Sunday, meaning Ronald Koeman now has his left wing position filled.

During last week, Sikora seemed destined for Fulham, prompting Ajax to look elsewhere.

Koeman highlighted Soetaers as an alternative, and Roda were aware of the interest.

Roda technical director Nol Hendriks said: "We know Ajax are following him, but we haven't heard anything official yet.

"But if they pay what we want, we will talk," Hendriks added to Limburgs Dagblad.

Hendriks`s comments came before Ajax landed Sikora, making a sizeable outlay on another left winger highly unlikely.

Following the signing of Sikora, Koeman has turned his attention to which players can be culled from the Ajax squad.

Speaking before taking his squad on a mini-tour of the British Isles, Koeman said: "I am aware of all the players and what they can do, but I need to trim the squad to 22 players."

Cedric van der Gun, Pius Ikedia and Tim de Cler have been left off the tour, but the door may not yet be closed to the trio.

Koeman added: "It doesn't necessarily mean they're finished, I`m just looking at others."

Another player left in limbo by the arrival of Sikora is Perica Ognjenovic.

The Yugoslav has impressed during a trial at the ArenA, but is not confident about winning a deal.

He said: "If I can't stay with Ajax, I'll have to look for another club. That's how it goes."