Soccer Shorts

Bung inquiry help sought:The Football Association are set to ask world football governing body Fifa to put pressure on eight agents to co-operate with the Lord Stevens bungs inquiry. Officials from Stevens' firm Quest met the FA yesterday for the first time since the former Metropolitan Police commissioner published the findings of his inquiry into illegal payments.

The identities of the eight agents, all of whom have a foreign connection, were handed over to the FA. It is understood Quest also requested that the FA ask Fifa to pressurise the agents to open up their accounts so that the money from 17 Premier League transfers can be traced.

Stokes looks for goals

Sunderland new boy Anthony Stokes is hoping to bring his blistering goalscoring form to the club's push for a Premiership return. The 18-year-old scored 16 goals in 18 games during his successful loan spell at Falkirk, and after completing a £2 million move to the Stadium of Light from Arsenal on Monday is determined to produce more of the same. Stokes said: "I had a great time at Falkirk, but I am just concentrating on Sunderland and doing well here for the next three or four years. I needed to stake a claim to play every week and hopefully I can do that at Sunderland. "

Stoke, meanwhile, have confirmed the permanent signing of midfielder Rory Delap from Sunderland.

Real tired of waiting

Real Madrid have given the first public indication that they are tired of David Beckham's stalling over a new contract with their sporting director, Predrag Mijatovic, insisting that they cannot afford to wait much longer for a response from the former England captain, writes Simon Talbot. Reports in the Spanish press, moreover, have claimed that Real's manager, Fabio Capello, has urged the club not to renew Beckham's deal.

According to the sports daily AS, Beckham's name is on a list of players whose days are numbered at the Bernabeu as Real seek scapegoats and solutions to a mounting crisis. Capello's instructions to Mijatovic are reported to have been sharp and to the point: sell Ronaldo and do not renew Beckham's contract. Guardian Service

Souness eyes Wolves

Graeme Souness insists his offer to take over at Wolves remains "on the table" despite revealing it has been rejected by the Championship club as "not acceptable". The former Rangers, Liverpool and Newcastle manager, who has been out of the game since leaving St James' Park in February 2006, insists he wants to move into the boardroom and take over at Molineux from owner Jack Hayward, who has said he will hand over the reins to an investor prepared to pump £20 million into the club.

McCarthy called up

Hamilton Academicals midfielder James McCarthy has been called into the Ireland under-17 squad for the first time. The Scottish-born player qualifies for Ireland through his late grandfather, who was from Donegal. McCarthy, who is being sought by Premiership clubs Liverpool and Reading, comes into the squad for the friendly internationals against Italy in Dublin later this month.

Sweden want Larsson

Sweden coach Lars Lagerback is understood to be trying to tempt Henrik Larsson out of international retirement. Larsson (35) marked an impressive debut for Manchester United by scoring in the FA Cup victory against Aston Villa last Sunday. The striker is on loan from Helsingborg until March although there is the possibility he could stay until the end of the season.

Coach quits Celtic

Celtic's reserve team coach Kenny McDowall quit the club yesterday to join rivals Rangers in a move reported by local media to be linked with Walter Smith's expected return to Ibrox. Scotland manager Smith had a request to be relieved of his contract to return to Rangers rejected on Monday. However, he and Scotland assistant coach Ally McCoist, a former Rangers striker, are expected to leave the national set up to move back to their old club.

Potter wanted

Wolves have confirmed they are in talks with Liverpool over the future of midfielder Darren Potter. The 22-year-old is currently on a season-long loan from Anfield and has played 19 times for Wolves in all competitions this season. And Molineux boss Mick McCarthy has admitted he is hoping to make him a permanent signing during the transfer window.

"I would like to sign Potts," McCarthy told the club's official website. "The clubs are talking and if it can be done then I'd like that to be as soon as possible. Darren is playing his position now but when he had to play on the right he just got on with the job. He never complained - he's that sort of player and I can't speak highly enough of him."

Liverpool are keen on signing Italy under-21 goalkeeper Daniele Padelli, according to the player's agent.

In brief . . .

Sven-Goran Erikssonhas denied reports that he is set to become Marseille coach in the summer . . . Blackburn defender Lucas Neillremains intent on leaving Ewood Park. The Australian's contract is up in the summer and he is keen for a new challenge . . . Alexei Smertincould be set for a return to the Premiership from Dinamo Moscow with West Ham, former club Charlton and Fulham interested . . . Everton defender Nuno Valenteis likely to miss just two matches after being told he will only be out of action until the end of the month with a knee injury . . . Sheffield United boss Neil Warnockhas given up on signing David Nugentafter describing the Preston striker as "outrageously overpriced" . . . Newcastle manager Glenn Roeder'sinterest in signing Darren Bentfrom Charlton has cooled. Newcastle's manager was disappointed to learn that a knee injury is likely to sideline Bent until the end of February and is almost certain to abandon plans for a £12 million bid. However, Newcastle are negotiating to take Lassana Diarraon loan from Chelsea until the end of the season.