Newslines

Manchester United are fighting against the clock to get Roy Keane fit in time to boost their Treble bid.

Keane suffered an ankle injury during United's 1-0 win at Middlesbrough, a victory which took them back to the top of the Premiership on goals scored. The Republic of Ireland midfielder, who was taken off after 25 minutes on Teesside, saw a specialist yesterday morning and spent all day in the treatment room.

He seems certain to miss at least one of this week's two closing Premiership games - at Blackburn tomorrow and at home to Tottenham on Sunday.

But Keane has his fingers crossed that he will make the FA Cup final clash with Newcastle on Saturday week.

United assistant manager Steve McClaren reckons it is too early to give Keane a target for his return.

"He had X-rays this morning and they're clear," said McClaren.

"Now it's a case of assessing the injury, getting the swelling down and putting a time scale on how long he will be out."

Meanwhile, Ryan Giggs is hoping to make his comeback from an ankle injury at Blackburn.

England coach Kevin Keegan last night insisted he will reach agreement with the Football Association over a new contract.

Keegan's current deal, which was for four matches, expires after next month's Euro 2000 qualifiers against Sweden and Bulgaria.

Everton are preparing a transfer list of stars to help reduce the club's projected £20 million overdraft.

The aftermath of Saturday's 6-0 win over West Ham, which saved the club from relegation, is the reality of a tough summer of cost-cutting.

Blues boss Walter Smith has vowed that he will not let go any of the team that have played together well in recent weeks. saying: "There are going to have to be changes but I'm looking to lose players from around the fringes."

That means the likes of Paul Gerrard, Tony Grant, Marco Materazzi, Michael Branch, Gareth Farrelly, John Oster, Danny Williamson, Slaven Bilic and John O'Kane could find themselves being told they can go.

Jim Kerr yesterday claimed nothing will persuade him to buy any shares in Celtic as long as former managing director Fergus McCann is the man selling.

Part of the Kenny Dalglish-led consortium which attempted to takeover the Parkhead club last year, Kerr was frustrated by McCann's reluctance to meet with the group and listen to their proposals.

McCann has now left the country but the sale of his 51 per cent holding is set to take place this summer. with his advisors told to make shares available to a broad base of existing shareholders and supporters.

Kerr and company were told by McCann before his departure they would be welcome to join these investors, but this offer has now been rejected out of hand.

Motherwell official Hugh Dallas, struck by a missile during the recent Old Firm title-decider, has been confirmed as referee of tomorrow night's UEFA Cup final between Marseille and Parma at Moscow's Luzhniki Stadium.

Dallas gave his evidence yesterday morning to the Scottish Football Association committee of inquiry into the violent scenes at Parkhead on May 2nd. Hearts chief executive Chris Robinson will chair proceedings at Park Gardens, but the SFA have stressed no findings will be released until Celtic and Rangers, as well as the police, have been informed of any proposals.

Nigeria have withdrawn their bid to stage the 2006 World Cup in favour of South Africa, Sports Minister Emeka Omeruah said yesterday.

Military ruler General Abdulsalami Abubakar "directed that we support South Africa in their bid to host the World Cup in 2006," the retired air commodore said.