Soccer Shorts

Today's other soccer news in brief

Mexico back in World Cup hunt

HONDURAS and Mexico threw the Concacaf World Cup qualifying competition wide open with home wins over Costa Rica and the United States on Wednesday.

Honduras, helped by a Carlos Costly double, thrashed leaders Costa Rica 4-0 while Mexico came from behind to beat the United States 2-1, the second win over their bitter rivals in less than a month.

Only three points now separate the top four sides in the six-team group. Costa Rica stayed top with 12 points, followed by Honduras and the US on 10 while Mexico, who beat an experimental US team 5-0 in the Gold Cup final last month, are back in the hunt with nine, all of them picked up at home. All teams have four matches to play.

The top three qualify directly for the World Cup in South Africa next year while the fourth team will face a two-leg play-off against a South American side for another berth.

Mexico coach Javier Aguirre has been credited with reviving the nation’s team since replacing the sacked Sven-Goran Eriksson in April.

Anelka hoping to extend Chelsea stay

CHELSEA striker Nicolas Anelka is willing to open talks over an extension to his deal at Stamford Bridge. The France international’s agent, Doug Pingisi, said that he hopes to begin negotiations over a new deal “next week” with Chelsea hugely encouraged by Anelka’s form last season, when he finished as the leading goalscorer in the Premier League.

Didier Drogba, Michael Ballack, John Mikel Obi and Florent Malouda have all agreed new terms in west London since the end of last season and, with two years to run on his current deal, Anelka, who has played for five clubs in the past seven years, now appears eager to follow suit.

“I think we will be having talks with Chelsea next week about Nicolas’s contract,” said Pingisi. “Nicolas has two years left on his present contract and I think Chelsea would like to extend it. We plan to sit down and have talks with Chelsea about Nicolas’s future.”

Brown still working on Negredo coup

HULL City manager Phil Brown yesterday revealed he was still hopeful of adding Real Madrid’s Alvaro Negredo to his squad before the close of the transfer window.

After unveiling two new signings, Republic of Ireland international Stephen Hunt and 25-year-old Algerian striker Kamel Ghilas, it is still the potential signing of Real forward Negredo (23) which is likely to cause the greatest stir, with Hull doing battle with the likes of Roma, Zenit St Petersburg and Villarreal for the €14 million-rated player.

Brown said: “These (Hunt and Gilas) are two more additions and they will add strength and depth to the squad.

“As for Negredo, it has been four to six weeks since we first started speaking to Real Madrid but it is hard dealing with a club of that stature. In terms of European football they are number one, two or three. But we’re still working on it.”

Bentley charged with drink driving

DAVID Bentley yesterday apologised to Tottenham and the club’s fans after the midfielder was charged with drink driving.

Bentley was involved in a collision with a lamp-post in the early hours of yesterday morning.

His statement read: “I should like to apologise to my club and the supporters for my actions which led to my car accident last night and my subsequent charge.”

Hughes not ready to give up on landing Lescott

MANCHESTER City look set to further test Everton’s resolve to keep Joleon Lescott with an increased bid for the unsettled defender.

City have already had offers of €17.5 million and €21 million rejected by the Goodison Park club, who insist the player is not for sale.

Everton’s firm line on the matter has also seen them reject a written transfer request from Lescott but Hughes yesterday indicated he is not yet ready to give up.

“We have made offers and shown interest, obviously that is seen by virtue of the bids we have put in,” said Hughes, who has already spent close to €115 million in the summer transfer window.

“But they have been rejected and Everton are fully within their rights to do that, we respect that.

“We are still trying to speak to the people who will ultimately make the decision over whether or not the deal continues.

“Those conversations are still to take place but how long they will still be active is open to debate.”

In brief...

WOLVES have re-signed Chelsea defender Michael Mancienne on a season-long loan. The Chelsea defender is Wolves’ seventh capture of the summer.

PORTSMOUTH manager Paul Hart has added some much needed depth to his squad by completing the loan signing of Belgium international Anthony Vanden Borre from Genoa.

BRAZIL legend Romario has revealed he is to come out of retirement over a year after halting his playing career. The 43-year-old, who scored 71 goals in 85 international appearances, is set to feature for Brazilian second division outfit America, where he is currently employed as the team’s manager.

BIRMINGHAM City have agreed a deal to sign former Liverpool and Rangers defender Gregory Vignal on a one-year contract.