A round-up of today's other news in brief
Coyle may have to sell Cahill
BOLTON MANAGER Owen Coyle admits he may have to consider selling Gary Cahill if a suitable offer is received in January.
The England centre back was a summer target of Arsenal before Arsene Wenger decided to instead sign Per Mertesacker from Werder Bremen for €10 million. Reports have suggested Wenger could renew his interest in Cahill, who is thought to be valued at €20 million by Bolton, while Tottenham failed in attempts to complete a deal.
Coyle would prefer to keep his star defender, but the Bolton boss acknowledges factors may mean his club’s hierarchy will have to think about a sale. “That is something that will be seen to be the case in January,” Coyle said yesterday.
“I would love to work with Gary Cahill every day of the week for as long as I could because he is a top player and a fantastic young man. Again, sometimes things are taken out of your grasp. We will wait and see what January brings.”
No Hibs talks with Fenlon yet
BOHEMIANS MANAGER Pat Fenlon is yet to hold any formal discussions with Hibernian Football Club about becoming their new manager.
Communication with the Scottish Premier League club has been initiated through an agent but Fenlon (42), who has another year to run on his contract with Bohemians, was not, as reported, in Edinburgh this week for talks with Hibs officials.
De Jong asks to meet Ben Arfa
MANCHESTER CITY midfielder Nigel de Jong has asked to meet Newcastle’s Hatem Ben Arfa when the face each other tomorrow. The Frenchman suffered a double leg fracture in a challenge by de Jong the last time they played at the Etihad Stadium in October last year.
Ben Arfa has only just returned to action and manager Alan Pardew said: “I had a conversation with him this morning about it because I think you could carry some demons when you have an injury like that. But he was absolutely clear to me this morning that he has no problem about going back there, no problem about facing their particular player.”
Pardew said de Jong contacted Ben Arfa and wants to meet.
“We have said after the game would be a good time, not before.”
Redknapp hoping to return for Villa
TOTTENHAM MANAGER Harry Redknapp is “optimistic” about returning to duty for Monday night’s Premier League clash with Aston Villa.
Redknapp underwent an operation on a minor blockage in one of his arteries two weeks ago and has been recovering since.
The 64-year-old will consult medical opinion over the feasibility of resuming work, but assistant manager Joe Jordan expects to see him in the dug out at White Hart Lane.
“Hopefully he’ll be back soon. It will depend on his conversation with the medical people who are giving him advice,” said Jordan.
“He’s feeling good and sounds good. There’s a possibility he’ll be back for the Villa game and maybe he’ll pop in during the lead up to that match.”
Fellaini signs new five-year contract with Everton
EVERTON MIDFIELDER Marouane Fellaini insists he would have not signed a new five-year contract had he not been convinced about the club’s ambition.
The sale of playmaker Mikel Arteta to Arsenal in the summer and ongoing, long-standing attempts to sell the Toffees have led to some disquiet among some supporters.
A second march by fans group Blue Union is planned ahead of tomorrow’s home match with Wolves.
But Fellaini said despite interest from other sides he wanted to repay the faith of manager David Moyes and the club. “If Everton didn’t have ambition I wouldn’t have signed here,” said the 23-year-old.
“It is a difficult decision because I know one or two big clubs have been watching me and I had one and a half years left on my contract. If I sign it means I am happy.”
Rooney appeal brought forward
THE APPEAL against England striker Wayne Rooney’s three-match ban has been brought forward by a day so he can attend the hearing in Switzerland.
Rooney was handed the suspension – which rules him out of the group phase of the Euro 2012 finals in Poland and Ukraine – after being sent off in England’s final qualifying game against Montenegro.
Uefa had been due to hear the appeal in Nyon on December 9th but have agreed to a Football Association request to bring it forward one day so Rooney can attend. Rooney will be in Switzerland on December 7th as Manchester United play a Champions League fixture against Basle that day.
The dismissal brought an automatic one-match ban for England’s next competitive game but Uefa’s Control and Disciplinary Body decided to increase the punishment.
