Soccer Shorts

Other stories in brief

Liverpool land Kuyt

Liverpool have agreed a fee with Feyenoord for Dutch striker Dirk Kuyt, the club said on their website yesterday.

The 26-year-old, who played in The Netherlands' 4-0 friendly win over the Republic of Ireland in Dublin on Wednesday, is to travel to Anfield for a medical.

British newspapers reported the deal was worth some €14.7 million.

Kuyt, who has been capped 23 times, scored 22 goals for Feyenoord last season and 71 in total during his three years with the club he joined from Utrecht.

Owen may miss season

Newcastle boss Glenn Roeder has admitted his €25-million striker Michael Owen may not kick a ball this season.

The 26-year-old England forward is awaiting a second operation to repair his ruptured anterior cruciate ligament and is facing months on the sidelines.

Specialist Dr Richard Steadman has already performed one procedure at his clinic in Colorado, and is expected to complete the job within the next couple of weeks.

Roeder said: "It's a long-term injury. I don't know if he (Owen) will play again this season."

Potter is Wolves' for spell

Republic of Ireland midfielder Darren Potter has completed a medical prior to joining Wolves on a season-long loan from Liverpool.

Under the terms of the loan, Liverpool would be able to recall 21-year-old Potter in mid-January.

Manager Mick McCarthy also confirmed he had signed Blackburn striker Jemal Johnson on a two-year deal, for an undisclosed fee.

SPL clubs split on split

Scottish Football League secretary Peter Donald has highlighted the lack of financial detail in the proposal to create a two-tier top flight in Scottish football. The Scottish Premier League approved the creation of an "SPL2"at a meeting in Hampden Park, with invitations going out to 10 SFL clubs to form a second tier for the 2008-2009 season.

First Division clubs Livingston, Clyde and Hamilton, concerned at the lack of sponsorship and lack of TV deal in place for this season, are the chief protagonists behind a plan to sever ties with the SFL.

But Donald said the issue of finance, which he believes underpins the SFL clubs' desire to jump ship, was conspicuous by its absence.

"To my mind, finance is what lies behind the proposal, it is key to the whole thing, but the proposal is silent on that. So we need some clarification."

Gallas intent on leaving

William Gallas has reiterated his desire to leave Premiership champions Chelsea, according to reports in France.

The 28-year-old French international has one year remaining on his Stamford Bridge contract but has shown no interest in extending his stay at the club.

He did not travel on the recent tour of the United States and was subsequently left out of the Community Shield defeat to Liverpool.

Earlier this week, Chelsea chairman Bruce Buck insisted Gallas was not for sale and the club expected him to honour his contract.

Chelsea cite Bates to FA

Chelsea have filed a complaint with the Football Association in England against Leeds United owner Ken Bates and his club.

Chelsea said Leeds chairman Bates had made "rude, insulting and inappropriate comments" in a dispute between the clubs over three young players.

In early August, Leeds made a formal complaint to the FA over three allegedly illegal approaches by Chelsea to Michael Woods, Tom Taiwo and Danny Rose.

In a statement released yesterday, confirming they had referred the matter to the FA, the London club said, "There are football procedures in place to deal with that specific dispute. Chelsea will comply with those, will not discuss the case publicly other than our previously stated position and will contest it vigorously."

Juventus appeal today

Juventus, demoted to Italy's second division Serie B following a match-fixing trial, are hoping they can still get back into the top flight.

The conciliation court of the Italian Olympic Committee (CONI) will meet today to discuss Juve's appeal for a more lenient sentence and the club say they want nothing less than a return to Serie A.

Juventus chairman Giovanni Cobilli Gigli said the Turin club expected the same punishment as three other clubs involved in the scandal, Lazio, Fiorentina and AC Milan, who all kept their places in the top division but with penalty points.

Meanwhile, Serie A club Reggina will start next season with a 15-point deduction for their role in the match-fixing scandal.

Club president Pasquale "Lillo" Foti has also been banned for two-and-a-half years and fined €30,000, while the club must also pay a €100,000 fine.

In brief . . .

Portsmouth have made Kanu their fifth summer signing after the striker agreed to a one-year deal. The 31-year-old Nigerian left West Bromwich Albion following their relegation from the Premiership last season . . . Ronaldinho and Kaka are back in the Brazil squad for their next match, against Argentina in London on September 3rd . . . Brett Emerton is poised to become the latest Blackburn player to commit his future to the club.