SOCCER SHORTS:ASTON VILLA assistant manager Gary McAllister has hailed the positive response of Richard Dunne following their training-ground altercation and the defender being axed from the team.
McAllister insists Dunne has a key role to play in Villa's future after the Republic of Ireland international was recalled for Sunday's 3-3 draw at Chelsea.
Dunne attracted plenty of attention after being involved in what McAllister calls an "incident" at Villa's Bodymoor Heath complex.
Then the former Manchester City player was left out of the side after a dip in form coincided with Villa leaking too many goals as they slid towards the relegation zone.
But McAllister is full of praise for the way Dunne applied himself before forcing his way back into the starting line-up ahead of tonight's home clash with Sunderland.
McAllister said: "We are all desperate for the club to move forward. That is very clear. There has been a lot of change.
"This group of players have had three managers this season. They started with Martin O'Neill in pre-season, then Kevin MacDonald and then Gerard Houllier came.
"There has been a lot of change, loads of different ideas, training schedules, training times etc. The players have been asked to change.
"But, as far as the incident with Dunny and myself, I don't have a problem with Dunny. It is something that happens in every training ground, every day of the week. Richard Dunne and I are perfectly fine and all the players, the staff, want to move forward and get results."
McAllister also stressed that Stephen Ireland and striker John Carew could also have futures at Villa. He said: "Is there a way back for Ireland and Carew? Absolutely. We are very much about people coming in and performing in training. We want people to come in here and be competitive during the week. They've got to train like winners as well."
Aguero extends deal at Atletico
SERGIO AGUERO has agreed to extend his contract with Atletico Madrid by two years to the end of June 2014, the La Liga club said yesterday. Tying the 22-year-old Argentina forward to the club was part of a policy of continuity that has also seen striker Diego Forlan and winger Jose Antonio Reyes extend their deals recently, the club said.
Aguero, a reported Chelsea target, has played for Atletico since 2006 and has a son with Diego Maradona’s daughter Gianina, said on his website (www.sergioaguero.com) that he wanted “to continue making progress with the club”. Atletico won last season’s Europa League and went on to beat Champions League winners Inter Milan in the European Super Cup and Aguero said he wanted more titles.
Atletico are sixth in the La Liga standings with 27 points from 17 matches, 19 behind leaders Barcelona, and were knocked out of this term’s Europa League at the group stage.
Taylor turns Newcastle down
BRADFORD boss Peter Taylor has turned down the assistant manager’s role at Newcastle. The Magpies had approached the Bantams for permission to talk to the 58-year-old about becoming Alan Pardew’s deputy at St James’ Park but former England Under-21 manager Taylor has declined to take up the position.
Taylor said: “I was flattered to be asked by Alan Pardew to be his assistant at such a huge club like Newcastle United. It is something I have always said I would be interested in one day.
“I have a lot of respect for Alan and for Newcastle United, who are a magnificent club, but I just really didn’t want to break my commitment here at Bradford.
“At present, I am contracted here until the end of the season and I didn’t want to walk away from that any earlier. I believe in what we are trying to achieve here.”
Bowyer banned for three games
BIRMINGHAM’S Lee Bowyer is suspended for three matches after accepting a FA charge of violent conduct for a challenge on Arsenal’s Bacary Sagna. Referee Peter Walton confirmed that if he had seen the challenge he would have sent Bowyer off during Saturday’s league match at St Andrew’s. Bowyer missed last night’s league match at Blackpool and will miss the FA Cup trip to Millwall on Saturday and next Tuesday’s League Cup semi-final, first leg at West Ham.
Palace look to get views of ex-manager Coppell
CRYSTAL PALACE chairman Steve Parish says he hopes to discuss the vacant manager’s post at Selhurst Park with former boss Steve Coppell.
Parish dismissed George Burley following Palace’s defeat at Millwall on New Years Day. “I don’t know what Steve’s situation is,” said Parish. “I will be having a chat with him, Steve would be a great sounding board for us in terms of who we should get, he cares for the club deeply.”
Coppell (55), who has had four spells as Palace boss, watched their 1-0 win over Preston on Monday. A result that still sees them third from bottom in the Championship.
He left his role as Bristol City boss in August, only two games into the new season following a three-month spell. “The word legend is used too often but in his case he’s a definite legend here,” added Parish. “He’s been a fantastic manager at almost every club he’s been to and hes definitely someone who I would be mad not to have a chat to.”
