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Kinnear worried Owen may walk 

NEWCASTLE United manager Joe Kinnear has admitted he has a battle on his hands to persuade captain Michael Owen his future remains on Tyneside.

Owen, whose existing deal expires at the end of the current season, will be free to talk to potential suitors next month.

Kinnear hopes to discuss the issue with Owen and his agent on Tuesday but when asked if he is confident of a positive response, he replied: "I'm not confident, to be honest."

Transfer deadline gets extended

THE English Football Association have announced the winter transfer window will close on Monday, February 2nd. Clubs will be able to buy players throughout January, however because January 31st falls on a Saturday they will be handed extra time to complete deals.

RONALDO has denied that he was using his new club Corinthians as a springboard for a return to Europe. The former AC Milan striker said after joining Brazil's second most powerful club: "I have lived in Europe for the last 15 years. I'm not thinking about returning to Europe."

DROGHEDA United were granted a 30-day extension to their examinership by the High Court yesterday, writes Emmet Malone.

The club received the additional month to put together a proposal that can win the support of creditors and so ensure its survival.

Club officials, who have raised more than €100,000 thanks to the efforts of supporters, welcomed the news saying that it would give them the opportunity to continue their fundraising and attract investment.

Ronaldo in line to pick up Fifa player of the year award

BALLON d'Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo could be in line for another major honour after being included on the shortlist for the Fifa World Player of the Year award.

The Manchester United and Portugal winger has been nominated alongside Barcelona duo Lionel Messi and Xavi, AC Milan playmaker Kaka and Liverpool striker Fernando Torres.

The players have been put forward by the coaches and captains of national teams from around the world.

Ronaldo was third in last year's Fifa vote behind Brazilian winner Kaka and Argentinian Messi but is the overwhelming favourite to see off those two to take the award for 2008, which is presented in Zurich on January 12th.

Xavi and Torres enjoyed impressive seasons with their respective clubs but feature among the five largely due to their success at Euro 2008 with Spain.

This is the first year five players, rather than three, have been named on the shortlist.

Uefa to decide on Rooney on Monday

UEFA will decide on Monday whether to charge Wayne Rooney over his clash with Aalborg's Kasper Risgard at Old Trafford on Wednesday.

Risgard claimed the Manchester United frontman deliberately stamped on him during the first-half and left marks on his chest.

Stand-in Aalborg manager Allan Kuhn also felt Rooney had overstepped the mark and Uefa confirmed yesterday that they will assess the incident, which was missed by referee Laurent Duhamel.

Should Uefa concur with Risgard's view, Rooney would almost certainly be banned for the beginning of the knockout rounds in February.

Alex Ferguson was offered the chance to present his view ahead of tomorrow's trip to Tottenham - which Rooney will miss after collecting five bookings - but declined to offer an opinion.

"I am not going to discuss Wayne Rooney," the United manager said.

Polish 'go it alone' reports denied

UEFA have denied a report that Poland will host Euro 2012 alone if Ukraine fails to meet construction deadlines on Kiev Stadium.

The Daily Dziennik newspaper in Poland had quoted Uefa president Michel Platini as saying there was a chance Poland could stage the tournament without Ukrainian involvement.

However, Uefa spokesman William Gaillard said the report was incorrect.

"We categorically deny this report," Gaillard said. "He never gave an interview to this newspaper."

The 2012 tournament has been dogged by speculation that work is not progressing quickly enough on preparing facilities, mainly in Ukraine. In October, Polish football federation boss Grzegorz Lato claimed Poland would look to co-host the tournament with Germany if Ukraine failed to meet its deadlines.