SOCCER SHORTS

A round-up of today's other soccer news in brief

Drogba wants new contract

DIDIER DROGBA wants to stay at Chelsea when his contract expires next season.

The striker, back to his best form under new interim coach Guus Hiddink, is determined to remain at Stamford Bridge.

The Ivory Coast international has scored twice since Hiddink took control of the side from sacked Brazilian coach Luiz Felipe Scolari and wants to sign a new deal when his current contract ends next summer.

Drogba said: “Because of my knee problems and what happened with the manager, I really want to make it clear again that I’m staying here.”

In the meantime, an agent claiming to represent Drogba, Thierno Seydi, says Scolari was axed by the club because of a personality clash with the striker.

Drogba strenuously denies having anything to do with Scolari’s departure and a club spokesman said yesterday.

“The comments made are totally ill-informed and are not worthy of a response beyond that.”

Anichebe to miss rest of season

EVERTON striker Victor Anichebe has been ruled out for the remainder of the season. The striker was injured in a tackle by Newcastle’s Kevin Nolan during the match at St James’ Park on February 22nd. “He’s damaged his cartilage and is out for the season,” Moyes said . . . Manchester United are yet to offer goalkeeper Ben Foster a new contract, his agent has confirmed. Reports had claimed that United had offered Foster a new long-term contract on the back of his performance in the League Cup final win over Spurs. However, his representative Lee Payne has confirmed that the England international is yet to talk fresh terms with the club . . . Former Blackburn boss Paul Ince has rejected the chance to return to management with Brighton.

The 41-year-old is the second person to turn down the post in a week after Jim Gannon decided to stay at fellow League One side Stockport.

Ronaldo's return marred

BRAZILIAN striker Ronaldos return to action after a 13-month knee injury lay-off was marred by an ugly media scrum following Wednesday’s Copa Brasil game that left the 32-year-old nursing a black eye.

Second-half substitute Ronaldo survived his 23 minutes intact in Corinthians’ 2-0 win at Itumbiara but was then injured by a microphone as around two dozen reporters and cameramen surrounded him on the pitch for interviews at the end of the game.

Ronaldo was struck as he was escorted off and one showed him with a badly bruised and swollen right eye. Following the incident, he left the stadium without talking to the media. “He had a good debut, moved well and tried a few dribbles,” Corinthians coach Mano Menezes told reporters.

France may lodge bid with Italy

FRANCE may submit a joint bid with Italy to host Euro 2016, secretary for sport Bernard Laporte has revealed.

Potential candidates have until March 9th to officially inform Uefa, European football’s governing body, of their decision to submit an application.

France and Italy are two nations who have declared an interest in being tournament hosts but there is a chance they could join forces over the next few days.

Laporte said: “It’s the federation who will decide and it will do what it wants. But me, I prefer to share and to win.”

Sweden and Norway have also announced plans to make a joint bid for Euro 2016.

Uefa will announce on April 1st if those countries who have declared an interest in being hosts can go forward with their bids. The winner will be chosen in May next year.

Messi happy at Barcelona

BARCELONA ace Lionel Messi has reiterated his desire to remain at the Nou Camp for the rest of his career. Manchester City have been linked with an audacious move for Messi and reports suggest the Premier League side are preparing a €100 million bid for the Argentina international.

But Messi insists he has no wish to leave the Catalan giants. “If it were up to me, I would stay at Barcelona until I finish my career,” he said.

Valencia may have to sell prized assets Villa and Silva

MANCHESTER CITY’S prospects of enticing David Villa and David Silva to the Premier League have improved after Valencia’s new chief executive, Javier Gomez, admitted the club may have no option but to sell their prized assets this summer.

The City manager, Mark Hughes, identified the Valencia striker and midfielder as his prime targets for the recent January transfer window, ahead of the abortive attempt to sign Kaka in a world record deal from Milan, only for negotiations to break down over the Spanish club’s exorbitant asking price.

A Manchester City delegation met Valencia officials in December with a view to a combined €100 million deal for the Spain internationals but withdrew from talks when the financially-stricken club insisted on €135 million. Valencia have now admitted the club’s financial excesses could not continue.

“The club is in a very delicate situation,” he said. “It has to control spending, grow income and sell assets.”