Soccer SHORTS

Clough gets transplantFormer Nottingham Forest manager Brian Clough had just two months to live before he underwent a liver transplant, his surgeon said yesterday.

A suitable organ was found here in Ireland a week ago. The transplant team also found cancer in his diseased liver when they performed the major operation last week at Newcastle's Freeman Hospital.

But consultant Derek Manas said the growth had been removed and the man known as Cloughie was making a good recovery. "He is recovering very well. In fact things are going so well he could be going home in a week," Manas said.

Clough, who is being treated as an NHS patient, was in good spirits, the surgeon said, adding: "He is being his old self, teaching us all how to play golf and telling us what, and what not, to do."

Bowyer the victim?

Arsenal bad boy Dennis Bergkamp is facing his second hefty loss of the season - and has been nowhere near a betting shop. The Gunners striker has already been fined £5,000 for an off-the-ball incident during the current campaign, and if referee Mike Dean indicates he did not get a clean view of his clash with West Ham new-boy Lee Bowyer at Highbury, he could find himself hit in the pocket again.

By announcing they have requested a copy of the match video to study the swinging arm with which Bergkamp blocked off Bowyer's attempt to win possession, the Football Association have signalled an intention to take the matter further if Dean admits he may have been wrong to wave play on at the time.

Bergkamp's team-mate Robert Pires has angrily denied suggestions that his behaviour helped to get Steve Lomas sent off in Sunday's 3-1 win.

"I did not dive and I am not a cheat," Pires said. "I was fouled. I was going through to shoot and I was fouled by his arm. It was a red card because he was the last defender. Maybe next time he will keep his arm in his pocket."

O'Leary v Leeds rages on

David O'Leary is considering further legal action against his former club Leeds after stories in some Sunday newspapers implied that some of the transfers conducted when he was manager were corrupt.

It is understood that O'Leary believes that the reports were deliberately leaked by the club and he is said to be outraged at the damage to his reputation.

"I've got nothing to hide. They can investigate me as much as they like," said the Irishman, who spent yesterday consulting his legal team.

Out of this world

Manchester United skipper Roy Keane has admitted he would travel to the moon to get his hands on a Champions League winners' medal. United resume the quest for a third title when they take on Juventus in a double-header next month.

Having taken no personal satisfaction from the last-gasp 1999 win over Bayern Munich, when he was forced to sit in the stand through suspension, Keane is not getting too hung up on the possibility of making amends at the Theatre of Dreams.

"I don't care where the final is as long as we win it," said the 31-year-old. "I'd be happy to win it on the moon. I felt we could have gone all the way last year, but I think that every season.

"We've had a decent start but we must be careful not to get carried away and start thinking our name is on the trophy. Last season we were supposed to win it because it was supposed to be the manager's last season and it was in Glasgow."

Doherty may bolt in swap

Bolton have accepted a transfer request from England striker Michael Ricketts. Ricketts appears to be trying to force the issue to get a move to Tottenham. Bolton, who value Ricketts at £6 million, may be prepared to accept £4 million plus a player, the likely makeweight being Gary Doherty, who is willing to move.

Portsmouth aim to sign unwanted Spurs midfielder Tim Sherwood this week in a bid to clinch promotion to the Premiership. Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp has been chasing the 33-year-old since the start of the season.

Newcastle eye Woodgate

Newcstle are closing in on signing the Leeds defender Jonathan Woodgate and are almost certain to complete the transfer before the window shuts in 10 days. Although the Elland Road side are insistent that Newcastle have not made an approach, the clubs are believed to be finalising the financial details. Woodgate, who will be 23 tomorrow, is said to be happy with the move.

Newcastle have offered £7 million rising to £10 million. Leeds want £10 million, which in accordance with Premier League rules would entitle them to £5 million immediately. It's not anticipated that the differential will scupper the transfer.

In brief . . .

FULHAM are today chasing new transfer targets after blaming Sergei Rebrov's agent for the collapse of his cut-price switch from Tottenham. The Cottagers were close to finalising a deal for the Ukrainian striker, but the player's representative, Sandor Varga, raised his "personal concerns" about the move. Birmingham are closing in on their fifth signing since the transfer window re-opened, with Arsenal defender Matthew Upson poised to move to St Andrews in a £3 million deal. Liverpool have confirmed they have received an approach from Galatasaray over the possibility of taking defender Abel Xavier on loan. Everton confirmed yesterday China defender Li Weifeng had left the club by mutual consent and is back with former Chinese club Shanzhen Jian Lia Bao, formerly Shanzhen Kejian. And Inter Milan have completed the signing of Gabriel Batistuta on loan from Roma.