Olímpico return for Pochettino

Argentinian international defender Mauricio Pochettino has agreed to rejoin RCD Espanyol on a six-month loan from UEFA Cup hopefuls FC Girondins de Bordeaux.

Recent acquisition
The 31-year-old centre-half, who only joined Bordeaux from Paris Saint-Germain FC during the summer, still has two-and-a-half years remaining on his contract at the Chaban-Delmas stadium, but became disillusioned after losing his first-team place to 21-year-old Marc Planus in recent weeks.

Espanyol struggle
Ahead of his side's UEFA Cup third-round tie with Polish outfit KS Groclin Grodzisk Wielkopolski in February, Bordeaux coach Michel Pavón has loaned Pochettino to Espanyol, the club currently rooted to the foot of the Primera División. The Argentinian, who has won 21 caps for his country, made 216 appearances for the Olímpico stadium club between 1994 and his 2000/01 move to PSG.