U.S. international forward Jozy Altidore has been extremely involved in helping raise money for the people of Haiti following the devastating 7.0 earthquake that struck on January 12th, claiming as many as a quarter-million lives. Altidore, who has many family members living in the country, recently talked about how difficult it has been to get through the ordeal and disclosed that he is slowly trying to turn his attention back to his club, Hull City.

I admire the speedy Mendy
There are lots of reasons to support Hull City. I don't cheer for the Tigers, but I used to have absolutely nothing against Phil Brown's side. Personally, I admire the speedy Bernard Mendy, and have often professed my love for the vision and passing ability of blog buddy Jimmy Bullard.

One of the most unprofessional players in world football, Amr Zaki, has left Hull.
The on loan Egyptian will be sidelined by injury for the rest of the season. Zaki made no impact on the league this year, though he did have an excellent season last campaign for Wigan.
Will he ever play in The Premier League again?

According to Amr Zaki's personal website, Zamalek striker Amr Zaky will take a medical for Hull City as he is set to join the club on a season-long loan.

Wayne Rooney hammered in 4 goals to destroy Hull City at Old Trafford today.
Karma for Hull City after bringing in Amr Zaki?
Or just some brilliance from Wayne - who will look to hit top form prior to the World Cup...
With Drogba in Africa with the Ivory Coast, it looks like Rooney can wrap up the Golden Boot over the next few weeks with a few further performances like this one.

According to the Daily Mail, Stoke City are prepared to offer £1million for Zamalek striker Amr Zaki. Zaki confirmed Stoke's interest saying,

"Stoke are interested in signing me."

It is also reported that Marseille have made an enquiry for Bolton striker Johan Elmander.

The Potters and Latics battle it out for potentially lethal finisher.

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Hull are talking to Egypt striker Amr Zaki over a possible loan move to the KC Stadium, Hull chairman Adam Pearson has told BBC Radio Humberside.

UPDATE: According to the Hull Daily Mail, Hull City chairman Adam Pearson confirmed that the club is going after Zamalek striker Amr Zaki.

January 15th, 2010 The article has changed saying he will take a medical with an "unnamed English club"

January 15th, 2010 According to Amr Zaki's personal website, Zamalek striker Amr Zaky will take a medical for Hull City as he is set to join the club on a season-long loan.

UPDATE: According to David Middleton at Goal.com, Zamalek striker Amr Zaki passed his medical for Hull City. The loan deal for Zaki is expected to cost around £600,000.

January 16th, 2010 According to the Hull Daily Mail, Hull City chairman Adam Pearson confirmed that the club is going after Zamalek striker Amr Zaki.

UPDATE: Hull City have confirmed the signing of Amr Zaki on loan, according to its official website.

January 18th, 2010 According to Amr Zaki's official website, Amr Zaki has indeed passed his medical for Hull City and is all set to join the club on loan.

By Chris Wright

Reports that Zaki received 'special treatment' at Wigan were unfounded

Hull City have just announced the news that they have completed the loan signing of Amr Zaki from Zamalek on a six month deal. Manager Phil Brown has bought in the striker to strengthen his attacking options as The Tigers look to push their way out of the relegation places over the remainder of the season.

Phil Brown signs experienced finisher to help avoid relegation battle.

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Hull have signed Egypt striker Amr Zaki on loan until the end of the season from home-country side Zamalek.
While terms have been agreed with the player and his club, Hull are still waiting for a work permit to be confirmed for the 26-year-old.

Butt's Brain on a Monday...

• Altidore urges you to support Haiti, via our buddies at A Football Report [A Football Report]

• USMNT star Clint Dempsey set for a long spell on the sidelines with a knee injury [TSN]

• Will Manchester City become "bigger" than United?

US striker Jozy Altidore was outstanding in his return to Hull City after a temporary leave of absence - taking a compassionate leave following the earthquake that hit Haiti, where he originated from prior to his family migrating to the US.
Altidore assisted on the Tigers' first goal and earned a penalty that led to their second goal in a 2-2 tie with Wolves, but he later went off for new signing, Egypt international Amr Zaki.

OK, so it's not Tuesday but we're an hour or so away from kick off so there's actually still time to bring you some interesting facts and figures about tonight's opponents.

I'm not sure if Egyptwere chosen to provide typical North African opposition ahead of our game with Algeria or not, but if the pasting our visitors gave the Algerians in the recent African Cup of Nations semi finals is anything to go by then we probably shouldn't be too worried.

While we had another beautiful, warm, daffodil-blooming day yesterday in NH ... the snows were still melting up at the lake. Thanks for the pics, HollyCornblog!

In the Women's Final Four last night the games that looked on paper like they could be run-away's both offered some nailbiting moments as they wended their ways to their expected denouments.

I just sent out my initial March Madness e-mail ... as the excitement builds. We had some blog readers participate last year ... so be sure to be in touch if you're interested again and I haven't contacted you!

I am mulling my post about anger ... need to set aside some time for it. Maybe tonight.

El Zamalek's Abdel Wahed El Sayed reacts after their draw against Al Ahly during their Egyptian Premier League derby soccer match at Cairo Stadium, April 16, 2010. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh Seven links from the last seven days on The Offside and World Cup Blog. A celebration of Xaxi's El Clasico performance.

You would think that Steve Bruce would never go down the Egyptian path after experiencing the Amr Zaky ride. Zaky's "unprofessional" like attitude damaged his EPL career and the Egyptian now plays for Cairo based El Zamalek. But Bruce gave Egypt one more chance and it seems that it is working out pretty well.

Image from Reuters UKThis article was written by Amr Samy, you can visit his site here, and his articles on EPL Online here.
AC Milan and Real Madrid have begun their Champions League campaigns winning 2-0. Bad performances by them last season brought a lot of criticism towards the two giants of European football.