Other soccer stories in brief
Ferdinand injury denied
Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has declared himself fit and ready for Saturday's Premier League clash with Arsenal. After being substituted during the latter stages of Manchester United's win over Middlesbrough, reports emerged that Ferdinand had been sent for a scan following the recurrence of a groin problem.
United officials were quick to quash speculation Ferdinand could be set for a spell on the sidelines, taking the rare step of issuing a statement confirming the player had been training and would play against the Gunners.
Henry pleads for time
Striker Thierry Henry has admitted he is not performing as well for Barcelona as he did for Arsenal and needs more time to adapt to his Spanish club's style of football. "The Arsenal Henry was at Arsenal, now I'm at Barcelona and you won't see the Arsenal Henry any more," the France forward said yesterday. "Maybe I haven't been at my best level up to now, but I've scored four goals and given three scoring passes. I try to help the team."
Jol rules nothing out
Former Tottenham boss Martin Jol has not ruled out a return to management in England. Jol wants take a break after departing Spurs but said: "Anything is possible. Another club in England, another foreign club or returning to Holland." Jol believes Ajax could be a possible destination for him.
Boruc talks 'ongoing'
Celtic manager Gordon Strachan insists he has no fears over Artur Boruc's future at Parkhead. Recent reports suggested the Pole was growing impatient as he waits for a new contract offer from the Glasgow club.
On the eve of their League Cup quarter-final with Hearts, Strachan said: "We offered him talks at the beginning of the season and that is ongoing."
Japan eye World Cup
Japan are set to launch their bid to the host the 2018 World Cup after Fifa ended their rotation policy, despite jointly hosting the event only five years ago.
Japan jointly hosted the 2002 event with South Korea, but under JFA proposals released in 2005, they are seeking to host the World Cup by 2050 and win the tournament under long-term plans titled 'JFA 2005 Declarations'. However, it has been suggested Japan's bid will be used as an experimental exercise with England, Australia and China already leading the race to host the event.
Fenlon names squad
Republic of Ireland under-23 manager Pat Fenlon has named a 22-man squad for the inaugural International Challenge Trophy which begins next month and will conclude with the final in February 2009, writes Mary Hannigan.
The Republic were drawn in group B with Northern Ireland, Belgium and Slovakia and will start their campaign on November 13th against Slovakia at Dalymount Park. Wales, England, Finland and Italy comprise the teams in group A.
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND (under-23 squad): C Powell, J P Kelly, S O'Donnell, S Rice (all Bohemians), P Kavanagh (Bray Wanderers), D Murphy, S Kelly, D Behan (all Cork City), K Deery, C Brennan (both Derry City), P Keegan, S Bradley (both Drogheda United), D Mooney (Longford Town), B Murphy (GK), G O'Brien, G Rowe (all Shamrock Rovers), G Peers, S Coleman (both Sligo Rovers), M Quigley (St Patrick's Athletic), D Quigley (GK), C Kenna, C Sammon (all UCD).
Wembley pledge
The Wembley groundstaff have pledged to do everything possible to ensure England have a perfect surface for their final Euro 2008 qualifier with Croatia on November 21st. The prospect of the game being played in less than perfect conditions has been raised after the NFL clash between New York Giants and Miami Dolphins at the new stadium on Sunday.
In brief . . .
Norwich have appointed Glenn Roeder as their new manager. The former Newcastle and West Ham boss has signed a two-and-a-half-year deal at Carrow Road . . . Fifa has suspended Kuwait from all international matches because of governmental interference in the national game. Northern Ireland have joined Scotland and Wales in opposing the idea of Britain fielding a team in the Olympics.
