With most of the European leagues in their winter hibernation, attention now turns to the opening of the transfer window.
On the Canadian front, goalkeeper Tomer Chencinski got things started even before the window opened. Israeli side Maccabi Tel Aviv announced the day after Christmas that they have brought the 26-year old on board from Örebro, who were recently relegated from the Swedish Allsvenskan.
For Chencinski, it’s a return to the city he was born, but after being the everyday starter in Sweden, Chencinski will be battling for playing time as he’ll be behind Vincent Enyeama and Barak Levy in the pecking order.
The move seems to mean Chencinski will be unavailable for Canada’s two friendlies in January. With Enyeama away with Nigeria during the African Cup of Nations later this month, the club needed another senior ‘keeper and as the two games against Denmark and the US aren’t on international dates, Chencinski will likely be kept by his club.
Meanwhile, English League One side Doncaster Rovers announced they had extended forward Iain Hume's loan from Preston North End through the end of the season.
Rovers, like most English clubs, were in action on the field as well as in the front office.
Hume (pictured above) had a chance on New Years Day to help Doncaster move into second place all by themselves but could must only a 2-2 draw with Sheffield United and settle for being in a second-place tie. The two teams are even on points with 47, but Sheffield hold the advantage on goal difference.
Rovers had a two-goal lead in the game until Sheffield scored twice in the final 10 minutes. Hume started the game but came off in the 82nd minute.
Also in League One, Marcus Haber and Stevenage have now lost three games in a row which has seen them drop out of the promotion playoff positions. Haber came off the bench to start the second half on Tuesday as Stevenage lost 1-0 to Walsall. Stevenage are now in 12th place but do hold games in hand on most of the teams ahead of them.
Up in the Premier League, Simeon Jackson once again saw some platoon action with Norwich City. The national team striker made his eighth appearance of the season for Norwich as he came on in the 70th minute with his team was trailing 2-0 on New Year’s Day. The 25-year old forward was able to make an impact as he assisted on his team’s goal in the 90th minute but they couldn’t rally to salvage the point and lost 2-1.
Norwich have now lost four games in a row and are down to 12th in the EPL.
Below that, in the Championship, defender David Edgar also came off the bench for Burnley on Tuesday and was on the field as his team pulled out the 2-0 win away to Sheffield Wednesday to ring in the New Year.
With the game scoreless, Edgar came on in the 61st minute, three minutes before midfielder Keith Treacy put Burnley ahead. The Clarets then added a penalty in the 77th minute. Burnley are right in the middle of the table in 12th place with 36 points.
