Soccer Shorts

A round-up of today's other soccer stories

Lampard queries Eriksson

Frank Lampard believes Sven-Goran Eriksson made a mistake in not taking Jermain Defoe to the World Cup.

The Swede attracted considerable flak before his final tournament as England manager for only selecting four strikers when both of his first choice pairing, Wayne Rooney and Michael Owen, were recovering from broken metatarsals.

The criticism was vindicated as Owen was sent home with a cruciate injury, leaving Eriksson with just two experienced forwards in Rooney and Crouch and one, Theo Walcott, who had never played top-flight football.

Lampard said: "Questions had been asked about why we didn't have five strikers in the squad when two of our forwards went into the tournament trying to recover fitness. I'd have included Jermain as well. I played with him at West Ham and he is a natural goalscorer.

"In terms of the line-ups for each match, I don't think they would have been affected. I'd have preferred some insurance, though, and it would have given us more options. In that respect I would have taken Defoe."

Lampard also revealed his interest in captaining England, the position having been vacated by David Beckham after the World Cup. Although his Chelsea team-mate John Terry has attracted strong support, Lampard considers it a job to which he would be suited.

"I have had the privilege of captaining Chelsea on a few occasions in JT (Terry)'s absence and have enjoyed it. I would love to do the same for England."

Lerner non-committal on Villa

American billionaire Randy Lerner has admitted his ongoing interest in the possibility of buying Aston Villa, but remains non-committal about whether he will launch a takeover bid.

Speaking before a practice session of his Cleveland Browns NFL team, Lerner said he had explored "opportunities" to become involved in a Premiership club.

"I've been open and interested to some extent," he said. "There are opportunities, but they are nothing more than opportunities. I think my concern is if I put myself in a position to speak clearly on it, I'm going to be misleading." Shevchenko in for long haul

Andriy Shevchenko has revealed that he wants to finish his career at Chelsea. The Ukraine international swapped AC Milan for Stamford Bridge this summer and, having started off his career at Dynamo Kiev before heading for Italy, he is a loyal man.

"I have only played for two teams and this will be my third," said Shevchenko. "I hope in my head this is where I end my career. I hope to be happy here and hopefully that will be the last one."

"It was just important that I was able to come to a club that had the same type of level I have."

In brief . . .

Tottenham Hotspur captain Ledley King will miss the start of the season after picking up a knee injury in training . . . Arsenal's want-away defender Sol Campbell has been linked with a move to Newcastle United . . . Reports in Italy suggest Newcastle are weighing up a move for highly-rated Empoli striker Francesco Tavano . . . Reports in Spain claim Brazilian full back Roberto Carlos (33) is on the brink of completing a move to Turkish side Fenerbahce . . . AC Milan general director Ariedo Braida has confirmed key duo Andrea Pirlo and Alessandro Nesta will not be leaving the club . . . Leeds chairman Ken Bates has demanded £24 million from former club Chelsea for the two youngsters - Michael Woods and Tom Taiwo - the champions allegedly lured from Elland Road . . . Birmingham boss Steve Bruce has confirmed he has enquired about Fulham's Brian McBride . . . Former Brazil coach Carlos Alberto Parreira has signed a four-year deal to take charge of 2010 World Cup hosts South Africa . . . Sunderland could be poised to make a double swoop on Spanish giants Barcelona, with striker Oriel Riera and midfielder Arnau Caldentey (24) impressing new manager Niall Quinn while on trials . . . Stoke City chairman Peter Coates has told the club's supporters that it was manager Tony Pulis's decision not to sign Republic of Ireland midfielder Lee Carsley from Everton . . . Paul Ince has held talks with Swindon manager Dennis Wise with a view to joining the English League Two outfit in a coaching capacity.