SVEN-GORAN Eriksson and Thaksin Shinawatra are to have talks that may play a significant part in determining whether their alliance at Manchester City is to be brought to an end this summer. Although Eriksson claims he is relaxed about the growing realisation that the club's owner may pay him off at the end of the season, he will welcome the fact that Thaksin is in England to watch the team for the first time in more than a month.
Thaksin has not attended a game since the 2-1 win over Tottenham on March 16th, his time since largely being spent in Thailand where he is preparing for a trial on corruption charges. However, he will be here for Sunday's visit of Portsmouth, and Eriksson will be under pressure to put out a team to beat the FA Cup finalists.
The two men are scheduled to talk about the club's poor form and, in the current climate, Eriksson may have his work cut out convincing Thaksin that it has been a successful season. The Swede claims that it is business as usual and has already submitted his transfer targets for next season - a list headed by Werder Bremen's Brazilian midfielder Diego - but his future has been clouded by revelations that Thaksin has been losing confidence.
Thaksin has said he will "evaluate" the manager's position at the end of the season and that he is "not happy" about the slip to eighth place. The former prime minister of Thailand has spent €70 million on players, significantly increased the wage structure and for that, he expected better. His criticisms have gone down badly with City fans, the vast majority of whom are satisfied after seeing the team occupying Champions League qualification places for several months and also beat Manchester United twice.
Eriksson also retains strong support from the English members of the club's hierarchy, who feel that Thaksin is demonstrating a lack of football knowledge. Indeed, senior City officials are suspicious about the network of other agents surrounding the owner and his associates.
Meanwhile, Jens Lehmann may have played his last game for Arsenal with Arsene Wenger hopeful his first-choice goalkeeper, Manuel Almunia, will have recovered from a wrist injury to regain his place against Reading tomorrow.
Almunia sustained the injury in training before last weekend's trip to Manchester United, handing Lehmann only his fifth Premier League appearance of the season and his first start since mid-February. The German, who is out of contract in the summer and may retire following Euro 2008, performed capably enough at Old Trafford but would be replaced if Almunia proves his fitness today.
Doubts remain over Mathieu Flamini's long-term future at the Emirates and the France midfielder will miss the Reading match as he continues his rehabilitation from the ankle injury sustained at Anfield. Talks remain at an impasse between Arsenal and Flamini's agent over a new contract with a number of European clubs - including Juventus and Bayern Munich - keen to secure his services in the summer under the Bosman ruling.
Guardian Service
:quality(70)/cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/YVIRIOZQ35EWRPZXR27KGMO6YU.png)