Soccer Shorts

Other soccer stories in brief

Nolan still chased

Republic of Ireland manager Steve Staunton is hoping to cut through a mountain of red tape in a bid to lure Kevin Nolan into the fold.

Staunton and Bolton captain Nolan have discussed the prospect of the midfielder playing for Ireland. The 24-year-old still has hopes of playing for England, yet knows that is a tall order with Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, Owen Hargreaves and Michael Carrick ahead of him in the pecking order.

Towards the end of last season there was talk of Nolan breaking into the squad, yet despite his best season for Bolton - scoring 11 goals and taking up the captain's armband - he was overlooked.

That is why Staunton is eager to recruit a player of Nolan's calibre, yet obstacles remain, even though he qualifies to play for Ireland via the "grandparents" ruling.

Nolan has previously played for England at under-21 level, albeit in a friendly, and featured in a competitive game for the under-18s.

There is a precedent as Everton's Tim Cahill played for Samoa at youth level yet now represents Australia after lodging a successful appeal with Fifa.

Staunton is not giving up just yet as he said: "There's a lot of issues surrounding this one. Once we cut through the red tape then we will know where we are, and I cannot say much more than that."

Rooney reports arrives

Manchester United have declared their intention to appeal against charges that could land Wayne Rooney and Paul Scholes with three-match Premiership bans.

The English FA have confirmed they have received the referee's report into the dismissals of Rooney and Scholes during the friendly encounter with FC Porto in Amsterdam on Friday.

If the charges of violent conduct and serious foul play are not overturned, the pair will miss the trip to Charlton on August 23rd, the home encounter with Watford on August 26th, and the Old Trafford clash against Tottenham on September 9th.

United have been given until Friday afternoon to lodge an appeal and have privately indicated they will definitely be contesting the charges at a hearing likely to be held next Tuesday.

Meanwhile, the deal to bring West Brom goalkeeper Tomasz Kuszczak to Old Trafford is inching closer, with manager Bryan Robson admitting he expected the Pole's situation to be clarified within the next 24 hours.

In brief . . .

Gerry Armstrong has stepped down as Northern Ireland's assistant manager, citing personal and business reasons for his decision . . . Tottenham have released a public statement denying they have any interest in signing Inter Milan's wantaway striker Obafemi Martins despite consistent speculation linking the Nigerian with a move to White Hart Lane . . . Charlton have signed Costa Rica winger Christian Bolanos (22) on a one-year loan from Deportivo Saprissa . . . Premiership newcomers Watford have signed Hungary striker Tamas Priskin (20) from Gyori on a four-year deal for an undisclosed fee . . . Bayern Munich midfielder Owen Hargreaves has been voted England's best player at the recent World Cup in a poll organised by the FA . . . Rangers have loaned Dutch midfielder Fernando Ricksen (29) to Zenit St Petersburg for a year . . . West Ham's Ghanaian international right back John Pantsil has been granted a work permit so his £1-million transfer from Hapoel Tel Aviv can be officially completed . . . Hull City have signed Dubliner Mark Yeates (21) from Tottenham Hotspur on a season-long loan deal . . . Liverpool youngster Danny O'Donnell has received FA Premier League clearance to join Crewe on a six-month loan deal . . . Theo Walcott (17), an unused member of England's World Cup squad, has been passed over by new coach Steve McClaren and picked for the under-21s.