Ossie desperate for job

Steve Perryman says his former Tottenham team-mate "wants to be involved in a club in any way he can".

Perryman's comments follow yesterday's front page Argus story on Ardiles' interest in Albion.

The ex-midfielder and fellow Argentine legend Diego Maradona are keen to invest in Albion if they get permission for a new stadium at Falmer.

Perryman played with Ardiles at Spurs, later becoming his assistant manager at both White Hart Lane and Shimizu S-Pulse in Japan.

Ardiles, who also took charge of Swindon, Newcastle and West Brom, has managed in a variety of countries abroad since leaving Spurs in 1994 and is currently living in Spain after losing his job in Japan in the summer.

Perryman, now director of football at Conference club Exeter, said: "Ossie is desperate to get involved again in English football.

"He's had several seasons' experience abroad and he is ready for a new challenge.

"There are a few opportunities, a list of people Ossie is interested in, but I don't want to talk about them.

"All I know is Ossie wants to be involved in a club in any way he can. It would be a major crime if he wasn't involved in English football again."

Ardiles and Maradona have remained friends since playing together for Argentina in the late Seventies. Perryman confirmed: "As far as I know Ossie is close to Maradona."

Meanwhile, manager Mark McGhee watched Argentine target man Federico Turienzo boost his first team prospects with a goal for the Reserves in a 1-1 friendly draw at Brentford yesterday.

Injuries and lack of match sharpness have restricted Turienzo to two substitute appearances in the Championship at the start of the season since joining Albion from Gimnasia for an undisclosed fee.

Yesterday's line-up also featured Alan Blayney in goal, Kerry Mayo and Alexandre Frutos.

Lewis trialist Leon Legge missed the match with a groin injury. McGhee will take another look at the 19-year-old former Hailsham centre half when he is fit.