Mallorca braced for return of Stankovic

A morning full of surprises at Real Mallorca's training ground yesterday with Alvaro Novo, supposedly sold to Atletico Madrid, turning up with his Mallorca kit on. His transfer deal was apparently closed on Tuesday with Novo no longer taking part in training sessions. But yesterday, he trained as usual, saying afterwards that he was merely waiting to fly to the capital and join his new team and hook up with the former Real Mallorca coach Gregorio Manzano. Novo's two million euro transfer deal will possibly also involve the return of a Real Mallorca hero, Jovan Stankovic accompanied by Txomin Nagore.
But, as the game of footbal musical chairs continues, coach Pacheco is putting his players through double training sessions every day in preparation for Sunday's Super Cup clash against Real Madrid. Today the side will train behind closed doors at Son Moix and Pacheco is hoping that the future of Ariel Ibagaza will be resolved, enabling him to remain at the club. Real Madrid's preparations for the first leg of the final were disrupted by last night's international friendlies. Coach Carlos Queiroz is also holding two training sessions per day, but yesterday he only had 15 players, including McManaman, with the likes of Zidane, Beckham, Roberto Carlos, Ronaldo and Figo on international duty. This morning's training session has been postponed to allow the international players to rest and recuperate from last night's game, but there will be a session this evening. Madrid are expected to arrive in Palma at around 8pm on Saturday and will not train before Sunday night's game.