Soccer Shorts

A roundup of today's other soccer news in brief

No Hargreaves setback – Ferguson

MANCHESTER United have dismissed speculation Owen Hargreaves has suffered a setback in his recovery from operations to both knees.

It was suggested Hargreaves was flying to Germany for specialist treatment in Munich and his career was once again in jeopardy.

However, the reports have come as news to Alex Ferguson, who has privately confirmed the player is still in the United States continuing his rehabilitation programme.

The 28-year-old has not played since last September, when he began looking for a cure to the tendinitis problem he has suffered from since before his €21 million switch from Bayern.

Since then, Hargreaves has been working under the supervision of renowned Colorado-based knee specialist Dr Richard Steadman, who is more used to dealing with cruciate injuries but has made optimistic noises about the midfielder’s recovery programme.

Milan rebuff Pato rumours

AC MILAN have rubbished reports they are in talks with Chelsea over Alexandre Pato (above) and have reiterated their stance that the striker is “non transferable”.

Pato has been strongly linked with a move to Chelsea, now managed by former Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti, all summer and the Rossoneri turned down a “monster offer” for the 19-year-old Brazil forward over a month ago.

Mowbray wants player movements

CELTIC MANAGER Tony Mowbray is hoping to add to his squad further before the transfer window closes at the end of the month.

Despite acquiring four players since replacing Gordon Strachan at the helm this summer, there have been six first-team departures but Mowbray, who saw his side lose 2-1 to Manchester City in a pre-season friendly on Saturday, admits more players will have to leave before he can bolster his squad again.

“We are probably at the other end of the scale to Manchester City,” he said. “At this moment we want some outs to get some ins. I would like to think there is going to be some movement but we will wait and see.”

Celtic’s Scottish Premier League campaign gets under way at Aberdeen on Saturday.

Espanyol captain Jarque collapses and dies

ESPANYOL were in a state of shock yesterday following the sudden death of their 26-year-old team captain Dani Jarque.

Defender Jarque, who was about to become a father, collapsed in his hotel room on Saturday during a club tour of Italy and died of heart failure after attempts to revive him failed, the Primera Liga side said.

Jarque’s death came two years after Spanish football was shocked by the death of Sevilla midfielder Antonio Puerta following his collapse on the field during a match.

“I find it very hard to believe these things happen,” Espanyol president Daniel Sanchez said. “Jarque was a great person and a great professional. He was very happy because he was about to become a father. He loved Espanyol and was very excited with the new stadium and the captaincy.”

Barton denies rift at Newcastle

JOEY BARTON has rejected speculation that he fell out with team-mates ahead of Newcastle’s opening-day draw at West Brom on Saturday.

Rumours surfaced of a bust-up with between the one-time England player and Jonas Gutierrez, and if there had been an unwelcome incident it would have been the latest of several which have affected Barton’s career.

Barton was also left on the bench by temporary manager Chris Hughton for the 1-1 draw at the Hawthorns, although he was introduced as a second-half substitute as Newcastle fought back to grab a point.

However, on this occasion Barton has done little to warrant the negative headlines.

“There was no disagreement between Joey Barton and any other player prior to the West Brom game,” said Barton’s personal spokesman Paul Tyrrell.

Capello open on Wilshere call-up  

ARSENAL youngster Jack Wilshere could go to the World Cup finals in South Africa next year, according to England coach Fabio Capello.

The Italian saw Wilshere, who has only made one substitute appearance in the Premier League, star in the pre-season Emirates Cup tournament, scoring twice against Rangers.

And Capello said of the 17-year-old: “He surprised me. Really. I saw him last year two times because he played in the Carling (League) Cup and he has improved a lot now.

“He plays without fear, with confidence. And the other players passed the ball always to him. This is not normal to be so young and so good.”

He continued: “We have time before we have to decide if he will go to South Africa. It depends a lot on (Arsenal manager) Arsene Wenger, if he will play him.”