A roundup of today's other soccer news in brief

Portsmouth seek delay to find funds

PORTSMOUTH will today offer Britian’s Revenue and Customs an immediate payment of €2 million on an outstanding VAT bill of about €8.5 million in the hope of being granted more time to find the remaining money to avoid administration.

Continual non-payment of the money caused Revenue to issue a winding-up petition on the club before Christmas, and the hearing is due to be heard tomorrow at the high court in London. The Portsmouth owner, Balram Chainrai, has said that more than 600 jobs could be under threat if the club is forced into administration.

Portsmouth’s lawyers began stating their case yesterday, which centred on the club now having a new owner, Chainrai. The legal team argued that Chainrai should be allowed time to examine the books to try and to steady the finances.

Chainrai said: “Time is needed so that we can help the club. It is in everyone’s interest that this is granted, and we are hopeful.”

• Guardian Service

Murphy out to achieve some goals

IRELAND striker Daryl Murphy believes a return to his preferred striking role during his loan spell at Ipswich Town from Sunderland will help him get back into contention for a place in Giovanni Trapattoni’s Ireland set up.

The 26-year-old marked his debut for Roy Keane’s side on Saturday with a goal after little more than 20 seconds of what proved to be a 1-1 draw with Middlesbrough and Murphy believes that given the opportunity to play up front on a regular basis, he can rediscover his scoring tough on a regular basis.

“I know my goals record doesn’t look good but I haven’t had a chance to play in my best position for a while,” he said. “I’ve spent a lot of time out on the left and I think I’ve been wasted out there. Now, the manager says that he wants to use me up front and I’m hoping to get a run in the side in that position and obviously to score goals.”

Gascoigne out on bail

FORMER England star Paul Gascoigne (42) was released on police bail yesterday after he was questioned on suspicion of being drunk in charge of a vehicle. The former Newcastle and Tottenham midfielder was taken into custody on Sunday night after police were called to a disturbance at a takeaway in Leeming Bar, North Yorkshire.

Gascoigne and another man were questioned on Monday morning before being released on bail pending further inquiries.

Beckham vows not to celebrate

DAVID Beckham has promised he will not celebrate if he scores against Manchester United in the Champions League.

After 394 appearances for the club, the England midfielder believes it would be inappropriate behaviour should he find the net for AC Milan. United face the Italians at the San Siro a week on Tuesday, with the return leg on March 10th at Old Trafford.

It is the first time Beckham has faced his former club and he remains grateful to the fans who backed him after he was sent off against Argentina in the 1998 World Cup.

He told Inside United: Sometimes emotion can get the better of you when you score but I do not think I would celebrate. I respect the supporters and the club.”

Cork’s future in doubt again

CORK City’s future looks increasingly uncertain again after it was confirmed that the consortium led by local businessman Michael O’Connell has ended its interest in taking over the club. It appears that talks came to an end when it emerged that the club has debts of more than €500,000. The current City owner has less than a week now either to sell the club or to come up with substantial new funding if there is to be any chance of saving its premier division status.

- SUNDERLANDmidfielder Jordan Henderson has been ruled out for between four and six weeks after injuring his ankle in the 1-1 draw with Wigan on Saturday.

The 19-year-old was carried off on a stretcher shortly after he had set up the equalising goal for Kenwyne Jones in the 64th minute.

Henderson has played 28 times for Sunderland this season, scoring twice. Sunderland are currently four points above the bottom three and travel to Portsmouth tonight.

Blood clot may force Cahill to miss rest of the season

BOLTON defender Gary Cahill (24) could miss the rest of the season after suffering a blood clot in his arm. It is a devastating blow for Cahill, who was hoping to claim a place in England’s World Cup squad. He was taken ill on Friday and sat out the 0-0 draw against Fulham on Saturday. Manager Owen Coyle said: “Gary suffered a pain in his arm and it became severely swollen on the day of the game.

“There was no way he could play so we took him straight off to hospital. It turns out he had a blood clot in his arm, so he is going to be out for a number of months.” Coyle said: “It is a severe blow for the boy but our main concern is his welfare. We have to make sure Gary is fit and well. He will miss the next few months, it might be for the rest of the season, we will hear from the specialist later.As disappointed as we are, at 24, Gary has a marvellous career ahead of him. I believe he would have made the World Cup for the summer but we have to make sure first of all he recovers from this blood clot.”