The Screamer...It's the talk of football

The scorer of 35 goals in 31 appearances last season — making him Holland's leading marksman — has been watched regularly by City staff, including boss Sven Goran Eriksson.

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The Swede has swooped for Afonso after becoming frustrated with the lack of goals from Emile Mpenza, Georgios Samaras and Rolando Bianchi.

The 6ft 1in Afonso began his career in Sweden and spent three seasons at Malmo before joining Heerenveen ahead of the 2006-07 campaign.

He was an instant success and ironically filled the gap left in January 2005 when Greece striker Samaras was taken from the Dutch club to City by Stuart Pearce.

Samaras, who has never settled at City, may go back to Heerenveen in part-exchange for Afonso as the Premiership club look to keep their spending in check.

Eriksson has already paid out in the region of £40m since taking over in the summer but has quickly become aware of the need for a new forward, especially given that Valeri Bojinov is on the long-term injury list with a knee injury.

City's start to the season has exceeded expectations, but they have not scored freely.

Afonso, meanwhile, has risen to greater prominence after scoring seven times in one game — a 9-0 rout of Heracles.

England fans got a glimpse of him in June when he came on as a substitute for Brazil in the first international at the new Wembley.

NOBLE OFF FOR OPERATION

West Han midfielder Mark Noble will miss next week's England Under 21 qualifiers against Bulgaria and Portugal to have a hernia operation.

He is in Germany to see Dr Ulrike Muschaweck, who has also treated Michael Owen.

Boss Alan Curbishley said: "Mark has had this problem for a couple of months and not let on."

ROBSON RUNS RULE OVER THOMPSON

Sheffield United manager Bryan Robson has given a trial to former Liverpool and Bolton midfielder David Thompson, who is looking for a club following a knee operation.

Robson said: "I tried to sign David for West Brom a couple of years ago and he would love to come to us."

GULLIT SET TO BOSS AROUND BECKHAM

Ruud Gullit and Los Angeles Galaxy were last night in final discussions over a three-year contract worth about £5million.

The 45-year-old former Chelsea and Newcastle manager will become Major League Soccer's highest-paid coach and is expected to be confirmed in charge of England midfielder David Beckham and his team-mates today.

COTTERILL EXIT A STUNNER

Steve Cotterill stunned Burnley yesterday by quitting after three years at Turf Moor. The club agreed to release him from his contract and he now plans to take a rest from the game.

Cotterill, who had been the longest-serving boss at Championship level, said: "I'm proud of the job I did."