Žilina call for keeper König

By Stanislav Hlavàcekž

MŠK Žilina went into the Slovakian Superleague's long winter break two points off the leaders in third place, but will look to usurp FC Artmedia Bratislava with the help of several new signings when the season restarts on 5 March.

Ďurica returns
Žilina have prised Slovakian international goalkeeper Miroslav König away from Czech champions FC Baník Ostrava as well as adding playmaker Ivan Belák to their squad, comfortably the league's top scorers in the first half of the campaign. Midfield player Tomáš Ďurica has also returned, but on the other hand, Dušan Sninský has departed for Polish outfit Groclin Grodzisk Wielkopolski and Miroslav Barčík may follow him out of the club, having been on trial at Scottish Premier League side Dunfermline AFC.

Slovan sales
Artmedia have looked closer to home for their reinforcements, raiding relegated local rivals SK Šlovan Bratislava for the low-cost trio of Andrej Hanták, Vratislav Gajdoš and Milorad Bukvič. Roman Jurko is another former Slovan player to join a top-flight team, the striker signing for struggling AŠK Inter Bratislava, who lie six points adrift at the foot of the table.

Czech moves
Centre-half Jim Ablancourt made four appearances for AS Monaco FC last season and remains a target for fourth-placed MFK Ružomberok, who have also recruited Czech left-back David Kotrys from Baník. Another Czech on the move is defender Milan Páleník, who will strengthen FK Dukla Banská Bystrica's bid to repeat last season's second-place finish. FK ZTS Dubnica currently occupy that position.

Select side
Most clubs resumed training during the first week of January but a select band of Superleague players made a premature return to action in Portugal. A Slovakia League select side took on similar teams of players from the Slovenian and Bulgarian top flights, drawing both of their matches 1-1 and finishing second overall after penalty kicks.