VIKING GIVE UP SOLTVEDT CHASE

VIKING STAVANGER have given up their chase for a new midfielder after the news was revealed that Bjarte Lunde Aarsheim will be back playing earlier than expected, meaning that top target Trond Soltvedt will not be signed.

Aarsheim has been back in training for a short period, but has not fully recovered from the injury and is not expected to be back in action until early May, leading the club to put their faith in a successful return.

Coach Benny Lennartson said: "I am counting on Bjarte, and therefore we have decided to drop our interest in Trond Soltvedt."

Meanwhile, the club have not given up hope of signing Erik Fuglestad, and are keeping in regular contact with the player`s agent Einar Baardsen, with little success so far as the mind games continue.

"Baardsen is a tactician," continued Lennartson. "He has made me feel that the whole of the Premier League is after Fuglestad."