A Pole Apart

Glenn Roeder admits that he was interested in signing 30-year-old Polish international defender Tomasz Waldoch from German club Schalke 04.

"I was interested to see quotes from Tomasz about our interest," says Glenn of the Schalke skipper.

"What I will say is that I saw him play at Highbury in the Champions' League this season and he had an exceptionally good game against Henry and Wiltord.

"Anyone who can play well against those two strikers gives you a good indication about a player's ability, and I was impressed with him that night.

"We made some tentative enquiries to his club and were politely told that although his contract was running out in the summer, they were very confident that he would re-sign for Schalke, which he has now done.

"But it demonstrates the sort of quality I am trying to bring to the club."

Waldoch has signed a new four year deal with the German outfit.