Wanderers have clinched a £1million-plus deal to sign Yugoslav international Sasa Curcic.

Weeks of secret negotiations concluded yesterday with Burnden bosses Roy McFarland and Colin Todd settling the fee and personal terms for one of Eastern Europe's most promising talents.

Wanderers and Curcic's club Partisan Belgrade are keen to keep the deal under wraps while the 23-year-old midfielder's work permit is being processed.

But the BEN can reveal that once he has been given clearance he will be available for the live Sky TV game against Arsenal on October 30.

The signing is a major coup for Wanderers who see Curcic as the ideal replacement for Jason McAteer.

He has made a number of international appearances for his trouble-torn country and will fill the creative role in the centre of the park.

The signing will send a much-needed buzz of anticipation through Burnden Park and is likely to be followed by more incoming talent as McFarland and Todd continue to build a team capable of surviving their first season in the Premiership.

So secret have negotiations been for one of Yugoslavia's highest rated talents that media speculation has incorrectly reported his current club, age and even his Christian name until today.

Turning his attentions to tomorrow's crunch home game with Everton, McFarland urged his side to take a positive line in their search for a desperately needed three points which could see them climb three places from second bottom.

McFarland has no new injury problems with striker John McGinlay reporting in fit today after international duty with Scotland on Wednesday night.

"We want to be more positive tomorrow," McFarland said. "We played well against QPR despite losing the game in the last minute and we have a chance to put that right tomorrow.

"If we are to survive we need to do well at home and tomorrow's match is important to us." Mixu Paatelainen successfully came through his first reserve game last night since damaging a hernia in the opening day game at Wimbledon while fellow striker Fabian de Freitas came off as a precaution after feeling his ankle and groin problems after 75 minutes.

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