NEWS:RAFAEL BENITEZ has called on the Liverpool owners, Tom Hicks and George Gillett, to resolve contractual issues that threaten to destabilise his title-chasing squad when the transfer window reopens in January.
Dirk Kuyt, Daniel Agger and the Liverpool manager himself have 18 months remaining on their contracts and while Agger has opened talks on an extension, the Spaniard is concerned at the lack of progress. The delays provide a further indication of the uncertainty that surrounds the club's future under its American co-owners.
Hicks and Gillett, who have delayed work on a new stadium indefinitely, have not approached Benitez with a new contract offer 10 months after Hicks first revealed his intention to extend the Spaniard's reign. Likewise Kuyt is also in the dark over the club's long-term intentions.
"Agger is very close and he is talking with the club," Benitez said yesterday, although the Danish defender and reported Real Madrid target is entitled to buy-out the remainder of his Liverpool contract in January. "There is no news yet with Kuyt but he is another player I would like to get done as soon as possible."
Meanwhile, Stoke City hero Rory Delap believes his trademark long throw is "undefendable" but does not expect it to earn him a recall to the Republic of Ireland squad. Delap (32) made his international debut a decade ago but has only 11 caps to his name after being forced to withdraw from the set-up on a number of occasions due to persistent injuries.
The midfielder, whose arrowed deliveries from the touchline set up both goals in Stokes' 2-1 win over Arsenal on Saturday, has not been called up by his country since a knee complaint forced him to miss out in April 2004. And while he is enjoying terrorising top-flight defences, he does not expect the increased publicity to make an impact on Giovanni Trapattoni.
"It's been good for my kids, seeing my ugly mug in the papers. I'm not going to get any modelling contracts but you've got to enjoy it," he said. "I've been asked about Ireland a little bit recently but I don't think so. I'm getting on a bit now. He (Trapattoni) has a young squad now and they're doing well at the moment. There have been B internationals and big training squads of 40-odd and I haven't had the call, but never say never."
Meanwhile, Blackburn manager Paul Ince yesterday insisted his remarks football was "not a game for women" following his side's 2-2 draw away to West Brom at the weekend were were not meant to be disparaging towards the women's game. Ince was critical of referee Mike Jones' decision to send off Rovers striker Benni McCarthy for two bookings, following what he saw as "two nothing offences". "Give red cards for dangerous and malicious tackles where the studs are up, fair enough. It is not a game for women."
Guardian Service
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