"I did think at one stage that I could do with a `beam-me-up, Scotty' job. Just get me out somewhere in a capsule, floating around in space for a day. It's very, very nice spinning around in orbit."

- Alive to the perils of the spoken word, England managerial incumbent Howard Wilkinson keeps it straight when talking about the pressures of the job.

"I am very emotional as a man."

- Howard Wilkinson gives the inside line on at least one of his genders.

"I felt I wasn't eating properly and I wasn't myself. I wanted to come back after a day but I felt I had to give it a go and I lasted eight days."

- Unsettled Celtic striker Darren Jackson explains that the unreasonable inclination towards Chinese food at Dalian Wanda, the Chinese club to which he went on loan, prompted him to repatriate to Glasgow post haste. Harald Brattbakk and Henrik Larsson took him out for a few beers and a vindaloo to welcome him back.

"We'll have to go and beat them in Paris now."

- Gloomy forecast of an English fan overheard leaving Wembley on Wednesday evening, who obviously believed that Anelka et al had seriously dented England's chances of qualifying for Euro 2000. At least we should have a good chance for the return leg in Paraquay.