Soccer Shorts

A round-up of today's other stories in brief

Keane confident

Roy Keane insists there will be no concerns over Dwight Yorke after the new signing was quoted as being "devastated" to be leaving Sydney FC. Keane signed the Trinidad and Tobago international shortly after being installed as Sunderland's new boss last week.

Keane insists the remarks were misconstrued: "The quotes (in Sydney) were taken out of context. From the time I spoke to Dwight everything has been positive. It's the way they want to spin things."

Nolan speaks out

Kevin Nolan, who has had discussions with Steve Staunton about the possibility of declaring for Ireland, believes his England chances have been affected by the perception of Bolton as a small club.

The 24-year-old has yet to win a senior England cap but has been tipped to be given a chance at some stage by new national team boss Steve McClaren.

"To be quite honest, I am pretty sure I would have broken into the England squad by now if I was playing for Manchester United or Liverpool," he said.

Benitez boost

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has been handed a timely boost ahead of this weekend's Merseyside derby with the news that Mohamed Sissoko is fit to play after returning to training.

Everton's David Moyes may have to plan for the derby without James McFadden. The striker limped out of Scotland's Euro 2008 qualifier victory against Lithuania last night.

Parting shot

Andy Cole believes Portsmouth will soon be a major Premiership force and justify his decision to leave Manchester City and head to Fratton Park. The 34-year-old former England striker has warned his former team Manchester City that Pompey are ready to trade places with them as the bigger top-flight team.

That will not go down well with City boss Stuart Pearce who claimed on the club's website that he felt he had to sell Cole to Portsmouth after being informed by the player's agent that the striker would consider retiring if the move was blocked.

Pardew's challenge

West Ham manager Alan Pardew admits he faces a tough challenge to make sure the arrival of Javier Mascherano and Carlos Tevez does not upset the harmony at Upton Park.

Two of West Ham's best players last season, the leading scorer Marlon Harewood and central midfielder Hayden Mullins, could find themselves relegated to the bench.

"The lads read the press as much as I do and they'll have their own reservations and concerns, and of course I'll have to address them all this week."

Chelsea criticised

The Professional Footballers Association's chief executive Gordon Taylor has criticised Chelsea for going public in their feud with William Gallas. Taylor has supported the French defender, insisting that the whole affair was entirely unnecessary. "Why do they have to wash their dirty linen in public? I do not see what purpose it serves," said Taylor. "It just all leaves a bad taste in the mouth and I cannot see what Chelsea were hoping to achieve," he said.