Smicer set to move on

Soccer Shorts: Vladimir Smicer is considering an offer to return to his former club Lens when his contract expires at Liverpool this summer, reports Dominic Fifield.

The 31-year-old spent three seasons at the French club, winning the league championship in 1998 and the league cup the following year, before moving to Anfield for £4.2 million in 1999. However he has been reduced to a bit-part role and has only recently returned to the first-team squad after almost eight months out following surgery on a knee-ligament injury.

"I'm almost 90 per cent certain I'll be leaving Liverpool in the summer," said Smicer, who played for the Czech Republic at last summer's European Championships. "It's been a very difficult season, but I've received two firm offers which are very interesting, and there's every likelihood that I'll return to Lens."

Xabi Alonso could make his first-team comeback for Liverpool in Wednesday's Champions League quarter-final second leg at Juventus. The £10.5 million midfielder returned to action on Wednesday night in the reserves' 1-0 loss to Leeds United at Wrexham. It was his first run-out since having an ankle broken by Frank Lampard's tackle on New Year's Day at Anfield.

Alonso was a surprise inclusion in the squad which beat Juventus 2-1 at Anfield in Tuesday's first leg, but the manager Rafael Benitez said at the time: "If we need to use him, things have gone wrong. He is probably two weeks away from a proper level of fitness." Alonso played the second half for the reserves without any reaction to the injury. Guardian Service

Ronaldinho takes ill

Barcelona forward Ronaldinho has missed training for the second day in succession in the run-up to the weekend clash against Real Madrid because of a stomach complaint. The club said that the world player of the year was suffering from acute gastroenteritis. It said medical staff would visit him at home to check on his condition, but there was no indication he would not be able to play on Sunday.

Barca added that centre-back Carles Puyol, who is doubtful because of an ankle strain, would continue to receive specialist treatment on the injury as he attempts to recover in time for the match against arch-rivals Real.

Barca enjoy a nine-point lead over Real with eight games left to play. A victory at the Bernabeu will set the Catalans up for their first league title in six years.

Pompey name Perrin

Former Olympique Marseille coach Alain Perrin was named as manager of Premier League relegation candidates Portsmouth yesterday.

"I am very happy to join the Premiership and to come to England because it is the best championship in Europe," Perrin told a news conference at the club's Eastleigh training ground. "When I first had contact with the chairman, I was very happy to come here," added Perrin after making apologies for his broken English.

The 48-year-old Frenchman will be at Fratton Park for the next two years, the club said on their official website.

Perrin cemented his reputation during a decade at Troyes, who he steered from the French fourth division to Ligue 1 and a UEFA Cup place. He joined Marseille in 2002 but is suing the club for unfair dismissal after being sacked in January 2004.

Former Tottenham Hotspur and Luton Town manager David Pleat was handed the role of temporary consultant at Portsmouth until the end of the season. The club have struggled under the control of caretaker manager Velimir Zajec, initially hired as executive director, and coach Joe Jordan after Harry Redknapp resigned in November.

The south-coast team are 16th in the table, four points above the relegation zone.

Villa eye Smith

Aston Villa have refused to confirm or deny whether Manchester United striker Alan Smith is manager David O'Leary's top summer transfer target. Villa chairman Doug Ellis has promised O'Leary £20 million to sign new players.

And O'Leary is reportedly ready to spend £7 million on 24-year-old Smith, whom he had under his charge while he was Leeds boss.

Smith has struggled since joining United from Leeds, scoring just nine goals and finding it hard to command a regular first-team place.

Behind Wayne Rooney and Ruud van Nistelrooy in the pecking order at United, Smith has started only 19 Premiership matches.

Meanwhile, United striker Louis Saha made his comeback from a knee injury in a reserve match at Blackpool. And the Frenchman's return to fitness could further reduce Smith's chances of pushing his way in to the team.

Owen looks to home

Michael Owen's summer short list appeared to grow a little longer last night when he admitted he would welcome a move back to Liverpool should he be forced to leave Real Madrid.Owen has been unable to secure a regular place in Madrid's starting XI since joining for £8 million in the summer, despite having scored 10 league goals in 12 starts; Ronaldo has 12 in 24 and Raul six in 24.

Owen, aware of the importance of first-team football in the run-up to next year's World Cup, has revealed he would be happy to return to Anfield. "Would I return to Liverpool?" he said. "I would have nothing against it if I had to move for one reason or another. I left Liverpool on good terms, they are still the first result I look out for and I have a lot of friends there . . . they are still a club very close to my heart."

In brief . . .

Jackie McNamara will ask manager Martin O'Neill for a new contract to see out his career at Celtic. The 31-year-old's agent yesterday revealed O'Neill has requested a meeting to discuss a new deal as soon as possible. Celtic are likely to offer a one-year extension. Bolton manager Sam Allardyce has admitted Neil Lennon and Alan Stubbs are on his wanted list. Celtic midfielder Lennon and Everton defender Stubbs are out of contract in the summer. Birmingham manager Steve Bruce has confirmed his interest in signing Chelsea midfielder Scott Parker. Middlesbrough striker Joseph-Desire Job could play again this season after coming through a minor knee operation.