SAN FRANCISCO — The federal government's top steroid investigator has asked to meet with Jose Canseco to speak to the former slugger about Roger Clemens.

Canseco's lawyer, Robert Saunooke, told The Associated Press today that IRS agent Jeff Novitzky called him last week and said he wanted to discuss a photograph that allegedly shows Clemens at a pool party at Canseco's home in 1998.

The meeting would likely happen within the next 30 days, Saunooke said.

"There's no urgency or rush on anyone's part," he said.

Novitzky had hoped to meet with Canseco this week while the former AL MVP was in California to sign copies of his latest book, "Vindicated," Saunooke said.

The lawyer said he told Novitzky the agent would have to wait until Saunooke was available to join Canseco for the meeting.

"I didn't want Jose to meet with him unless I was present," Saunooke said.

The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of California did not immediately return messages.

Brian McNamee, Clemens' former trainer, has said Clemens spoke with Canseco at the barbecue and soon after approached the trainer about using performance-enhancing drugs.

The star pitcher says he didn't attend the party. Canseco corroborated Clemens' story in an affidavit to Congress.

Saunooke said Novitzky described two photos to him — one of Clemens and an 11-year-old boy in Canseco's pool and another of Canseco with the same boy. From the description, the undated photos in no way linked Clemens to the specific party in question, Saunooke said.

"I have no doubt that Roger's been at Jose's house a number of times," Saunooke said. "I really don't know what to make of it."