FOOTBALL: Brown is confident of Rogers deal
LISBURN Distillery manager Jimmy Brown remains "confident" in signing Dundalk defender Dave Rogers.
Rogers is currently embroiled in a disciplinary dispute with the Lilywhites after the League of Ireland club dismissed the 33-year-old for baring his backside to St Patrick's Athletic fans during a fixture in May.
Dundalk have accused Rogers of "gross misconduct", but it appears the fallout has continued in the aftermath of the sacking.
Whites boss Brown - who was previously technical assistant at Dundalk - is hoping the matter can be resolved to pave the way for Rogers ' move to Ballyskeagh.
"Dave was at our game on Thursday night against FC Zestafoni, and he is committed to coming here on a permanent deal this summer," Brown said.
"There are some outstanding issues between him and Dundalk, but that is none of my business.
"All I know is that Dave is an experienced, talented player, and I would love to see him at Distillery. he has played in England and Scotland, and I know he would be a big asset.
"Hopefully things can be sorted between Dave and Dundalk so he can make the move. Our transfer window is open to the end of August, so we have time. But I would rather complete the deal sooner, rather than later."
Brown would ideally like Rogers in place before the start of the Irish Premiership season on August 8, when Distillery kick off their new campaign against Glentoran.
The Whites started their preparations in earnest with Thursday's Europa League clash with Zestafoni at Mourneview Park.
And despite a 5-1 hammering to the slick Georgians, Brown is confident it will stand his players in good stead for later in the summer.
"It was our first competitive game, and it didn't go well," he conceded.
"But I have one eye on the bigger picture, and that's the start of our domestic programme in August. This will hopefully benefit the players for when we start our league programme.
"Zestafoni are a full-time team, and the pace of their game was the main difference. But it is always a learning curve and I hope my players will have picked up one or two things."
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Weather for Belfast
Tuesday 29 May 2012
Today
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