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The on-loan Chelsea man has hit 10 league goals since moving to the Hawthorns in the off-season, helping West Brom enjoy their best ever English Premier League campaign to this point.

And, while the former Anderlecht striker admits results have exceeded his expectations, he believes Steve Clarke's side can continue to excel and even reach Europe.

"This year has been wonderful," Lukaku told the Daily Star. 

"When I joined, I wasn't sure we would be this high in the league, but after three games I knew we were capable and I knew it was going to be good for me.

The 55-year-old announced this week that he will end his 16-year stay at Old Trafford in order to stand for election to the governing body of European football in May.

And although he lamented the FA vice-chairman's departure, Ferguson is adamant that Gill will be a fine addition to the executive committee.

"He spoke to me about it some weeks ago," he said. "I was surprised because he is still a young man.

"But I can understand exactly where he is coming from. Sixteen years at United in that particular position is not easy.

The forward failed to shine in Barcelona's 2-0 defeat to AC Milan on Wednesday, with the Italians taking all the plaudits for silencing the infamously deadly attack.

Van Bommel, who spent the 2011/12 season at San Siro, said he and his colleagues at AC Milan were of the opinion that Messi would struggle to score more than 30 goals in a campaign if he played in Italy.

"Three quarters (of the changing room) thought he would score definitely less (than 30 goals a season in Serie A)," van Bommel told Algemeen Dagblad.

The defender has not made an appearance since February 26 last year in a 2-1 win over Atletico Madrid.

He has been training with the squad since December after undergoing a specific training programme leading up the end of 2012.

After undergoing tests to check his liver is healthy in January, Abidal was given the all-clear and is likely to make his return in a Barca shirt in late February or March.

Abidal's return could help lift the doom and gloom following Barca's 2-0 defeat to AC Milan on Wednesday in the Champions League last 16 first leg.

The central defender was almost sold to Queens Park Rangers for 9.2 million euros in the off-season, but could now commit his long-term future to the north London club, Goal.com say.

Dawson is under contract until 2015 but wants a pay rise and the 29-year-old's representatives have opened talks over a new four-year deal.

The former Nottingham Forest man looked set to be frozen out by Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas at the start of the campaign but has forced his way back into the side, making 20 appearances in all competitions this season.

Sydney FC had been desperate to keep the Italian legend, who had reportedly fielded offers from several clubs around the world.

And their wish was granted on Thursday, with the 38-year-old marquee man - scorer of 11 goals this A-League season - happy to remain at the Sky Blues.

"I am very happy to be staying at Sydney FC for another season," the Juventus legend said via statement.

"I chose Sydney FC at the beginning of this season because I wanted to show my love of football in another country and I have enjoyed the challenge and my time at Sydney FC and in Australia.

According to Goal.com, Juve are desperate to avoid the situation they found themselves in with Marco Verratti, when they stalled with the signing and Paris Saint-Germain swooped for the Italian starlet.

Ogbonna, on the other hand, is believed to have attracted interest from Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich, who will have a new coach in the form of Pep Guardiola in the off-season, with his top performances in Serie A over the past couple of seasons.