Thai Suree set to join Manchester City

BANGKOK, Aug 31 (Reuters) Suree Sukha is set to become the first Thai player to join an English Premier League club, his national team coach said today.

Suree, 25, has impressed coaches at Manchester City and his work permit is currently being processed, according to Charnwit Polcheewin, who attended his two-week trial with the northwest club.

City have enjoyed a good start to the season, winning three of four matches to stand second in the standings behind Chelsea.

''This is a big chance for Suree. The staff and the coaches liked him a lot,'' Charnwit told Reuters.

Suree, an attacking fullback, has been a regular with the Thai national team since 2005 and currently earns less than 300 dollar a week playing for local side Chonburi FC.

He was invited to train with City by new owner, exiled former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who bought the club for 81 million pounds 10 months after he was ousted in a bloodless coup.

Charnwit said Suree had made good progress but it was too soon to talk about the first team.

''His performance has been good,'' he said. ''He won't be playing in the first 11, but he stood out and will be an excellent reserve team player.'' If the deal is completed, Suree will go one better than compatriot Kiatisak ''Zico'' Senamuang, who signed for English second division team Huddersfield Town in 1999.

Despite living in exile in London, Thaksin's City takeover has helped him maintain a high profile in Thailand.

His critics have dismissed the move as an elaborate publicity stunt although Thaksin, who the junta accuse of corruption and abuse of power, insists he has quit politics.

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