TRANMERE are poised to make an audacious move for Ian Rush, a decision that opens up the possibility of Rush linking up with his former Liverpool colleague John Aldridge.

Frank Corfe, the Tranmere chairman, confirmed yesterday that the club is trying to sign Rush, who is being granted a free transfer by Liverpool at the end of the season. Tranmere's ground, Prenton Park, is only a few miles from Rush's home on The Wirral.

Rush and Aldridge have a combined age of 70 but are still rated among the most lethal strikers in England. Rush has scored 345 goals in 649 games for Liverpool. Aldridge is top of the First Division scoring charts with 19 goals in a poor season for the club.

Liverpool manager Roy Evans wanted Rush to sign a new contract, but said he was willing to bow to the striker's need to play regular first team football at this stage of his career. Evans said: "I would rather he was staying with us but he wants first team football and a player of Ian Rush's stature and ability deserves that."

FIFA said yesterday they were discussing a change in the ad vantage law. FIFA will put a proposal to the International Board in Rio de Janeiro on March 9th that should play break down after an advantage is given, a foul is then awarded for the original offence.

Currently, when play breaks down, the attacking team forfeits the right for a free kick.

FIFA's referees commission will also ask the board for a new rule whereby line judges can alert the referee at any time to tell him of something which he failed to see.

However, FIFA have dropped any ideas of enlarging the goals, which officials believed might increase the scoring rate and make the game more attractive.

Arsenal may have to look for a new main sponsor, with JVC hesitating over whether to extend their backing beyond a 13th year. The Japanese electronics company have pumped millions into the Arsenal since first linking with them in a shirt sponsorship deal in 1983.

The current contract, due to expire in the summer, was believed to be worth around £2 million over three years. But Steven Michaelis, marketing manager of JVC UK, said a new contract had not yet been agreed.

He said the huge cost of sponsorship was the main reason for the company's hesitation. although adverse publicity surrounding Arsenal in the last 18 months the sacking of manager George Graham last February over a transfer bungs' scandal and Paul Merson's confessions of drink, drugs and gambling abuse is also a minor consideration.

Arsenal will also be disappointed that Paris Saint Germain announced yesterday they had no intention of allowing striker Patrice Loko to leave for England at the end of the season.

Arsenal vice president David Dein was officially in Paris for last night's France England junior match, but it was reported he was also on a spying mission to watch Loko in the PSG Lens match on Tuesday.

Celtic have hit a potential snag in their attempt to sign striker Jorge Cadete from Sporting Lisbon. The Scottish FA yesterday confirmed they had not received clearance for the 27 year old from their Portuguese counterparts and said Cadete may still be contracted to Sporting.

If that proved to be correct, Celtic could be required to pay a transfer fee for a player they claim to have signed until the end of the season. However, Celtic manager Tommy Burns insisted yesterday: "He will arrive in Glasgow tonight and should be available for training tomorrow and to play for us on Saturday (against Hearts).

Erik Bo Andersen looks set to join fellow Danish international Brian Laudrup at Glasgow Rangers in a £1.2 million deal.

Danish radio reported yesterday that Rangers manager Walter Smith finalised the transfer with Andersen's club Aalborg FC and the player is flying to Scotland, but a spokeswoman for the Scottish club said: "It is not true that we have signed the player. Nobody has signed for Rangers today, but it is possible there could be some news about transfers on Thursday.

Andersen (24) was the Danish League's leading scorer with 24 goals last season, which helped Aalborg lift the championship for the first time in their 110 year history.