Aberdeen captain Derek Whyte has warned the club it will need more than the signing of Richie Foran to put them among the top six next season.

The 20-year-old forward from Shelbourne is set to begin a trial with the Dons next week with a view to a permanent £150,000 move.

But Whyte insists more players will be required during the summer to improve the club's fortunes. "The clutch of good kids we have at the club did a tremendous job. But it's clear they are only capable of going so far, particularly when some of our rivals continue to add more experience to their squads," said Whyte.

David O'Leary has called upon the League Managers' Association and club chairmen throughout the country to resolve a contentious contract issue.

O'Leary is demanding clubs pay up contracts in full should they decide to show a manager the door ahead of the expiry of any signed deal.

"When a manager signs a contract it should mean something. Yet at the moment, even if a manager signs a four or five-year contract, he still usually only gets a year's money if he is sacked. Whereas if a player signs a contract it is honoured in full," said O'Leary.

Leeds midfielder Stephen McPhail, meanwhile, is hoping to make his first-team return in next week's Champions League quarter-final second leg at Deportivo La Coruna.

McPhail took another step towards a comeback in Tuesday's reserve match with Middlesbrough by playing his first full game for six months because of an Achilles injury.

He came through unscathed and said: "The Champions League would be a great way to return, but it's all down to the gaffer and the physio."

Steve Staunton has vowed not to be affected by the Aston Villa boo boys after he came under fire from some Villa fans during Saturday's match with West Ham before being substituted in the second half.

Staunton said: "Let them do it. I'm big enough. I'm not bothered. What happened on Saturday won't affect me one little bit."

Barcelona skipper Josep Guardiola said Wednesday he will leave the club at the end of the season after 11 years at the club.

The talented 30-year-old centre-half has been linked with a move to England, with Newcastle the favourites to sign him.

A move to the Magpies would see Guardiola reunite with former Barcelona manager Bobby Robson.

A stampede at South Africa's premier stadium, Ellis Park, last night killed at least 45 people, according to emergency services. The tragedy happened during the match between the Kaiser Chiefs and Orlando Pirates at the stadium in Johannesburg.

Live television broadcasts showed bodies strewn on the stadium field, covered in blankets. Reports suggested that too many tickets had been sold for the match. Supporters outside tried to push into the stadium and were trapped against barbed wire.

Emergency vehicles outside the stadium were unable to move amid the traffic. Police had earlier fired tear gas at people stampeding outside the stadium.