Vorawan: We will wait for Sutee

Tampines Rovers claimed they have filled up all their foreigner slots despite only three are confirmed as they wait for Thai international Sutee Suksomkit.

Akihiro Nakamura was the earliest to be confirmed and now, the Eastern giant have retained the centre pairing of Japanese Seiji Kaneko and Frenchman Benoit Croissant at the back.

Tampines Rovers coach Vorawan Chitavanich was delighted that the club managed to hold on to all their foreigners especially their two defensive assets after it seemed the pair would move on in the close season.

Japanese defender Kaneko – one of the more outstanding players of 2009 – was said to be seeking a move to Europe, while Frenchman Croissant, also strongly rumored to be leaving to seek a move to A-league.

Only the fourth – vacated by Thai attacking midfielder Sutee Suksomkit when he signed on with Australian side Melbourne Victory as a guest player in September – will remain open for now but it is left for the same man.

“We will wait for Sutee,” said Vorawan, who says that the 31-year-old has agreed to return to the Stags if Melbourne decide not to extend his deal.

It was thought that Sutee was favouring a return to his homeland if his Melbourne move does not work out, but Vorawan explained: “I have spoken to him, and he has agreed that if Melbourne does not extend his deal, he will come back to Tampines.”