Shakers snap up Charles-Cook

Shakers snap up Charles-Cook

Published Jul. 14, 2013 9:15 a.m. ET

Manuel Pellegrini hopes to bring "two or three" more new players to Manchester City - but he wants Edin Dzeko to stay.

The new City boss will take charge of his team for the first time on Sunday when they face Supersport United in Pretoria.

Speaking before the game, the Chilean confirmed that more transfer activity was in the offing following the arrivals of Fernandinho and Jesus Navas.

"We will sign maybe two or three more players," said Pellegrini.

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City continue to be linked with a host of strikers. Sevilla's Alvaro Negredo and Fiorentina's Stevan Jovetic are the main names in the frame, while there has even been rumoured interest in Paris Saint-Germain superstar Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

The transfer talk has led to speculation that Dzeko could be on his way out of the Etihad, but Pellegrini insists that he wants the Bosnian to stay.

"I spoke with Dzeko while he was on holiday," Pellegrini added." He doesn't have any problem. He'll stay.

"For me, he's a very important player and I'm sure that he will give, this season, the performances we know he can."

The 27-year-old was City's top scorer in the Premier League last season, weighing in with 14 goals in 32 appearances.

Sheridan released the Northern Ireland international at the end of last season after a foot injury restricted his chances at Home Park, but he was invited back for a pre-season trial, with the opportunity to seal a new contract.

And the 32-year-old did his chances no harm with the only goal in a 1-0 friendly win against Argyle's non-league opponents.

Sheridan told the club's official website: "He's been biting at the bit. He's trying to impress me. He hasn't played for a long time. He came on and worked hard, and it's always nice to get a goal.

"It's his first game. I don't want to get carried away just because he scored. I thought he did okay when he came on. It was encouraging.

"He's had a bad injury but he's worked his socks off in pre-season.

"I know what he can do. He knows how to play the game. I've got some good strikers in and around the team and I've got good options to play people up there, and I'm still looking at attack-minded players."

The 19-year-old, who was released from the Gunners without making a first-team appearance, links up with the Shakers after previously enjoying a trial at Bristol City earlier in the summer.

Blackwell said: "We've signed him as he has some great potential down the line.

"He was at one of (former goalkeeping coach) Fred Barber's soccer camps and he has been very impressed with him, we haven't got a young goalkeeper and Reice fits the bill."

Charles-Cook put pen to paper ahead of the Shakers' 3-1 friendly defeat to Sheffield United on Saturday.

Striker Shaun Harrad, who spent last season on loan at Cheltenham, opened the scoring in the first half before the Blades hit back after the break.

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