Vieira won't pull punches

Arsenal midfielder Patrick Vieira has vowed not to alter his combative style on the pitch, despite just returning from a sevenmatch ban.

"When you do something bad, you are punished for it, but that's finished now and in my past. I just want to look to the future and think about my football and not anything else," said Vieira.

"I don't want to change my football as that is my quality, that's the best thing in my game, so I'm going to keep it."

Leicester City manager Martin O'Neill is to ask the new board of directors for money to strengthen his squad to help the club through their current injury crisis.

O'Neill gave his backing to football club chairman John Elsom and PLC chief Rodney Walker in the recent boardroom battle.

O'Neill said: "I just haven't had a minute so far to speak to the new chairman. But I would love to be able to go out and buy - even Rivaldo! I am sure I will be having a word or two about the situation.

"Please don't put this out as an `O'Neill in massive plea' type of thing, but I am sure I will be speaking to the chairman today or tomorrow about the situation. I am concerned about it."

Sammy McIlroy wants the IFA to end the uncertainty over the next Northern Ireland manager and tell him if he has got the job.

The IFA have been searching for Lawrie McMenemy's successor for over two months and McIlroy would like to see the matter come to a head.

The Macclesfield boss has said all along that it would be a dream come true for him to manage his country.

"I've been getting calls every day about it and obviously it would be nice to know as soon as possible," said McIlroy.

"I'm obviously still interested in the post. I played for Northern Ireland many times and it has been a dream of mine for a long time to manage my country.

"I would love to be given the opportunity and I think, and I hope, everybody back home in Northern Ireland knows how much I want the job."

Stan Collymore's move to Montpellier has collapsed. The 28-year-old had flown to discuss a move to the struggling French First Division side, but Montpellier boss Michel Mezy has claimed the player refused to play in a specially arranged practice match.

Meanwhile Rivaldo said yesterday he would be staying at Barcelona till 2003 when his contract finishes. "I am very happy and satisfied at Barcelona and I will not be changing team," he told journalists in Recife in Brazil, where he spent Christmas with his family.