Soccer Shorts

Cole leaves Wenger cold: Arsene Wenger is increasingly frustrated by continual speculation over the future of England left back Ashley Cole.

Chelsea are expected to land Cole in a £25million deal after the player's relations with Arsenal suffered seemingly irreparable damage following the publication of extracts from his forthcoming autobiography. Arsenal vice-chairman David Dein has already admitted talks between the two London clubs have taken place.

Wenger, who still insists he wants Cole to remain at the Emirates Stadium, claims the defender's stay at the London Colney training complex was limited to one-hour yesterday only because of illness.

"If Ashley is going to be sold he will be informed - and if he is staying he will be informed about that as well," said the manager. "He is still under contract, and no one else will decide what he does."

Meanwhile, Wenger has confirmed striker Thierry Henry and goalkeeper Jens Lehmann will play no part in Arsenal's Champions League qualifying round first-leg tie next week.

Lehmann is suspended following his red card in last season's Champions League final, while Henry will return to preseason training tomorrow.

Celtic need to be welcoming

Celtic chairman Brian Quinn has urged supporters not to participate in "unwelcome" chants at football matches in the wake of new Uefa directives.

The European governing body have warned clubs they will face a minimum fine of £13,000 if their fans are responsible for racist or discriminatory conduct.

Rangers were fined £13,300 by Uefa last season as a result of discriminatory chanting at their Champions League games against Villarreal.

And Quinn is keen to ensure Celtic - who picked up Fair Play awards from Fifa and Uefa in 2003 - do not suffer a similar fate to their Old Firm rivals.

In an open letter to Celtic fans, he said: "Offensive songs and chants have all but disappeared from Celtic Park and we are working with the SPL authorities, the SPL clubs and the police to discourage the remaining cases of unwelcome chants and songs at away grounds."

Meanwhile, Shakhtar Donetsk manager Mircea Lucescu has opened the door for Anatoly Tymoshchuk (27) to join Celtic for £7 million.

Messina midfielder Carmine Coppola (27) has indicated he would be open to a move to Scottish champions Celtic.

"There is an offer from a Scottish club, which is very interesting for me," Coppola told Italian media.

Stanislav Varga has signed a new one-year contract at Parkhead.

Vieira to complete move

Patrick Vieira will complete his move to Inter Milan today, according to the club's owner Massimo Moratti. The Juventus midfielder (30), arrived in Milan yesterday to have a medical

The news will be a disappointment to Manchester United, who were reported to be interested in signing the French international.

Another United target, Villarreal midfielder Marcos Senna, says his move is being discussed.

Pantsil may oust Clarke

West Ham have announced the £1 million signing of Ghana's World Cup right-back John Pantsil from Israeli club Hapoel Tel Aviv. The move could be bad news for Irish defender Clive Clarke, who had been filling in at right back during the pre-season.

New Wembley complications

England's Football Association believe the 2007 FA Cup final can still be played at Wembley, despite the new stadium's builders saying on Tuesday it would probably not be ready in time.

Big date for new stadium

Arsenal's new 60,000-seater Emirates Stadium will host a South American derby between Brazil and Argentina on September 2th.

The game will be Alfio Basile's first as Argentina head coach and second for Brazil manager Dunga.

In brief . . .

Republic of Ireland international Graham Barrett (24) has join Falkirk after being released by Coventry City . . . The start of the Serie A campaign has been put back by two weeks until the weekend of September 9th-10th . . . Uefa will today decide tomorrow whether AC Milan will be allowed to take part in this season's Champions League . . .

Wigan have signed Crystal Palace defender Emerson Boyce . . . Brett Emerton looks set to join Middlesbrough following two days of talks with his club Blackburn . . . Manager Niall Quinn is interested in bringing old team-mate Kevin Phillips back to Sunderland from Aston Villa if the opportunity arises . . . Kilkenny born Michael Reddy (26) has handed in a transfer request at League Two side Grimsby . . . Cardiff are set to sign Manchester City midfielder Willo Flood (21) after agreeing a £200,000 fee for the Dublin-born midfielder . . . Lebanon have pulled out of qualification for the 2007 Asian Cup because of the current unrest in the country.

TONIGHT'S FIXTURES (7.45 unless stated)

UEFA Champions League Second Qualifying Round Second Leg: Crvena Zvezda v Cork (7.15), Dinamo Zagreb v FK Ekranas (7.30), Dynamo Kiev v FK Metalurgs (5.0), Legia Warsaw v FH Hafnarfjordur (7.30), MyPa v FC Copenhagen (6.00), Rabotnicki Kometal v Debrecen (7.0), SCP Ruzomberok v Djurgardens IF (7.0), SV Red Bull Salzburg v FC Zurich (7.15), Sioni Bolnisi v Levski Sofia (4.0), Siroki Brijeg v Hearts (7.30), Spartak Moscow v Sheriff Tiraspol (4.0), Steaua Bucuresti v HIT Gorica (6.30), Valerenga v Mlada Boleslav.