A roundup of today's other soccer stories in brief
Ferguson embarrassed by leaked letter to Leige
ALEX FERGUSON’S interest in the Standard Liege captain, Steven Defour, was revealed to the world in embarrassing circumstances for the Manchester United manager yesterday when it emerged he had written a letter of sympathy to the 21-year-old midfielder wishing him a speedy recovery from a broken metatarsal and promising that he will “remain in contact” with the Belgium club.Ferguson also promised Defour that he would continue to chart his progress once he has recovered from an injury that is expected to keep him out until mid-January. The United manager, mindful that he has been accused in the past of “tapping up” players, is understood to have gone through Liege officially, and was shocked to discover that his letter had been released to the Belgian media.
“Dear Steven, I have just heard about your injury and, in the name of Manchester United, I would like to wish you a full and speedy recovery,” Ferguson wrote. “I am sure at the moment you must be feeling awful and that you’ll have all kinds of questions. Steven, these are natural worries but I have to tell you that modern medicine and treatments are incredible; you have to have confidence in them. Don’t worry, everything will work out. You will have to work hard to come back and I am going to follow your performances. I will remain in contact with Standard.”
United have confirmed that the letter is genuine but that Ferguson considered it a “private matter”.
Hughton dismisses speculation
CARETAKER NEWCASTLE boss Chris Hughton has refused to be drawn on suggestions he could be installed on a permanent basis if the club is not sold.
Rumours have been mounting in recent days that owner Mike Ashley, having yet to offload the club despite months of negotiations with potential buyers, could keep his powder dry and ask the former Republic of Ireland international to formalise his role.
However, Hughton, as has been his style since he was asked to take temporary charge for the third time during the summer, was diplomatic when questioned about the speculation.
He said: “It’s a normal week, isn’t it? It’s something that I have very much got used to. We know there is going to be something different in the papers every day.
“But the important thing is being able to focus on football matches and up until this stage, we have very much been able to do that.”
Heskey willing to fight for his place
EMILE HESKEY is happy to fight for his place at Aston Villa.
Heskey claims he was misquoted earlier in the week when remarks attributed to him suggested he might look to move on in order to secure a place in England’s World Cup squad.
The 31-year-old, who joined Villa from Wigan only at the start of the year, has made just one Premier League start this season.
Heskey told his club’s website, www.avfc.co.uk: “I am here to fight for my place like any other player. Everyone is in the same ball park – they want to play and they are ready to fight.
“I’m not running away from things – you have to embrace the challenge. These are the hurdles you have to get over.
“I didn’t say I want to quit Villa or anything like that. The manager knows what I’m like. I have spoken to him and explained the quotes.”
Kyrgiakos injury a blow for Liverpool
LIVERPOOL WILL assess their Greece defender Sotirios Kyrgiakos on his return to the club, amid fears he may have suffered a serious knee injury while on international duty.
Reports have claimed the 30-year-old, who joined the Reds from AEK Athens in August, could be facing a lengthy lay-off.
Kyrgiakos was injured in the first half of his country’s World Cup qualifying win over Luxembourg in midweek.
Captain Steven Gerrard, who suffered a groin injury against Ukraine last Saturday, and striker Fernando Torres – substituted with an adductor problem in Spain’s win over Armenia at the weekend – will also be checked.
Liverpool travel to Sunderland in the Barclays Premier League on Saturday.
