City drop Wanchope as Malaga pounce

PAULO WANCHOPE was withdrawn from the Manchester City squad for last night's match at Birmingham after Spanish club Malaga moved in for the player.

The Costa Rica international, 28, has slipped down the pecking order at Eastlands behind first-choice strikers Nicolas Anelka and Robbie Fowler, and Jon Macken.

"We are in discussion with Malaga about the possible transfer of Paulo Wanchope," said City communications chief Paul Tyrrell.