Cardiff short of striking option ahead of semi-final

SOCCER DIGEST:STRIKER PAUL Parry remains Cardiff's biggest injury concern ahead of Sunday's FA Cup semi-final clash against Barnsley.

The Welsh international had a scan yesterday after injuring a hamstring in the previous night's Championship 0-0 draw against West Bromwich Albion.

Fellow striker Steve Thompson picked up a similar injury and boss Dave Jones says a decision on their fitness will be left as late as possible.

Jones will have his fingers crossed that his striking options are not limited any further, as Warren Feeney is cup-tied and Robbie Fowler remains on the long-term injury list.

However, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink - who has been sidelined for the last three games with suspension - played in a specially arranged practice match on Tuesday.

Smith has no problem with referee

RANGERS MANAGER Walter Smith insists he has no concerns about controversial Russian referee Yuri Baskakov officiating tonight's Uefa Cup tie against Sporting Lisbon.

Baskakov was criticised by Hearts owner Vladimir Romanov and former head coach Valdas Ivanauskas following their Champions League qualifier against AEK Athens in August 2006.

Julian Brellier was sent off for picking up two yellow cards, the first of those for wearing an earring, as Hearts slumped to a 5-1 aggregate defeat.

The 43-year-old has refereed three Champions League games this season, including Arsenal's group game against Steaua Bucharest, and Smith sees no reason to be worried ahead of the quarter-final, first leg at Ibrox.

"Not at all," he insisted. "That's the one thing about this season, the referees in the European games have been absolutely excellent."

Rangers will be without Daniel Cousin at Ibrox tonight. The striker suffered a broken jaw four weeks ago but could play a part in next week's return leg in the Portuguese capital.

Celtic given a boost by Perrier-Doumbe

JEAN-JOEL Perrier-Doumbe is hoping to boost Celtic's ailing campaign by making his comeback from injury before the end of the season.

The defender has spent the last six months on the sidelines after rupturing his Achilles during a Champions League game against AC Milan back in October.

Doumbe returned to action in a reserves match against Gretna last week and has now vowed to play first-team football again this season.

"I am probably looking at reserve football at the moment and these games will be important for me to try to get my fitness back to 100 per cent," he said.

"I want to be back playing in the first team before the end of the season. That has to be the aim for me."

No Dunne deal at City just yet

MANCHESTER CITY have put contract talks with captain Richard Dunne on hold until the end of the season, fuelling speculation over the 28-year-old's future.

Although the Republic of Ireland international has just over a year to run on his current deal, he and his representatives have been in negotiations with City for the last few months as the club look to tie down the defender to a new long-term contract.

Newcastle United are reported to be keen on Dunne and are monitoring developments at Eastlands regarding his contract.

Despite the talks being put on the back-burner City manager Sven Goran Eriksson remains confident of agreeing a new deal with Dunne.

"I really don't know where we are in terms of progress on Richard's contract but with six games to go I think it is more an end-of-season discussion," Eriksson said. "We don't want to lose him and I am quite sure he wants to stay here."

Police hopeful of getting their man

MERSEYSIDE POLICE are hopeful of making arrests in their investigation of the abuse aimed at Phil Neville at Anfield during the Merseyside derby on Sunday.

The Everton captain was spat at and punched in the back as he prepared to take a throw-in against Liverpool and police are believed to have identified the alleged culprits from CCTV and Sky footage.

Meanwhile, Everton's planning application for a 53,000-seat stadium in Kirkby, due to be heard in May, must now wait until after local elections have taken place.

Inter deny Mourinho link

INTER MILAN President Massimo Moratti has dismissed speculation linking the Serie A leaders to former Chelsea and Porto manager Jose Mourinho.

"Mourinho's arrival is an idea other people have, but it's not the truth," Moratti said.

Mourinho's personal adviser sparked the speculation last week, saying that the Portuguese had gone to hold talks with Inter, but the coach later denied going to Milan or meeting Moratti.