SECRET AGENT: Mariners force players to hand over phones | Trifiro denies Mariners injury claims

Wilkinson’s current contract with Korean champions Jeonbuk Motors will not be renewed when it expires in December, and I understand the 31-year-old central defender is keen to use his Socceroo status to attract interest from the lucrative Chinese Super League.

If Wilkinson is unable to secure a rich deal in China, Victory would aim to add Wilkinson to their Asian Champions League initially, but not their A-League squad – due to domestic salary cap restrictions.

The impending retirement of French defender Mathieu Delpierre at the end of the current season would allow Wilkinson to be added to Victory’s A-League squad for the commencement of the 2015/16 campaign.

The Secret Agent can reveal Melbourne Victory is actively pursuing Socceroo Alex Wilkinson with a view to adding the Korean-based defender to their squad in January.

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Van 't Schip-ped out?

I understand only a miraculous turnaround will save John van 't Schip's position as Melbourne City coach.

The Dutch coach, who's is contracted as City's manager until the end of the 2016-17 season, has failed to deliver a championship-challenging team in the eyes of the club's owners City Football Group.

CFG are known to be unhappy with the club's recruiting and sports science departments - with City suffering a horrendous run of injuries so far this season.

A decision on Van 't Schip's future is likely to be made by CFG in late January 2016 - with only a huge improvement in results likely to save the Dutchman's job.

City football director John Didulica is currently overseas but has been informed of CFG's ultimatum.