Inter star open to Spurs move

Inter midfielder Suuly Muntari has admitted he would consider a move to Tottenham Hotspur in the summer.

Muntari played under Spurs boss Harry Redknapp at Portsmouth and has been linked with a move back to England despite being an integral part of an Inter side which is set to win Serie A.

However, Inter boss Jose Mourinho could be tempted to offer Muntari to Spurs in part exchange for long-tem target Jermaine Jenas.
And Muntari said: 'I love the football in England, there is no doubt about that, that is where the best league is.

'But I only signed last year for Inter and I like it here. As long as the coach still needs me, I am happy to stay.

'At the end of the season things could change, though, so we will have to wait and see.

'Everyone knows that I really like Harry.

'He is one of the best coaches in football, he is a top manager like the one I have at the moment.

'A move to Spurs? I don't know.'

Delay to Old Firm Premier League proposal

Premier League chairmen are expected to delay discussing plans to include Celtic and Rangers in a new two-tier set-up until at least the summer.

Bolton chief Phil Gartside was set to put forward the proposal at Thursday's meeting of top-flight clubs but it has not been included on the agenda.

His plan is for a two-tier Premier League with 18 clubs in each division, among them the Old Firm. It is understood although Uefa are neutral about the proposal, the Football Association and Scottish FA would block such a move.

Meanwhile, MPs have called for rule changes to prevent the likes of the American owners of Manchester United and Liverpool saddling clubs with debts of hundreds of millions of pounds.

Parliamentary Football Group chairman Alan Keen MP said: 'We say before someone takes over they pass a test and should be financing the takeover on money they put in and not on debt.'

Rooney: Best is yet to come

Wayne Rooney insists there is still a lot more to come from him.

Although he was denied an appearance in Sunday's FA Cup semi-final against old club Everton after being left at home to rest ahead of tomorrow night's Premier League showdown with Portsmouth, it could still be a glittering year for the Manchester United striker.

A title hat-trick and back-to-back European Cup wins are still on the agenda, in addition to his matchwinning performance in the Club World Cup final last December.
On the international front, Rooney now has 50 England caps to his name, an amazing achievement considering he is still only 23.

But there is no way the United striker will start taking it easy.

He knows there is still plenty to do if he is to fulfil his talent, including scoring a few more goals.

'There is still a lot more to come from me,' he said.

'I would love to score more goals consistently each year. I am still working on that and hopefully I can improve.'

Rooney has reached 17 for United already this term, plus another seven for England.

'I am only 23 but I suppose I started off at an early age so I have achieved quite a lot,' said Rooney.

'I understand people expect things of me now.

'I just have to keep playing as well as I can. That is what I must try and do.

'If I can help Manchester United or England win trophies it would be great for me.'

If United and England are to achieve success, Rooney will be a major influence.

However, while Fabio Capello has built his new-look side around the £27million star, handing him the support striker's role many thought would be given to Steven Gerrard, at United Rooney is used slightly differently.

Ferguson does not need to be told about Rooney's prowess as a forward.

But when a specific job needs doing, stopping full-back Aly Cissokho flying down the wing for Porto last week for example, the Red Devils chief knows he can rely on Rooney.

At some clubs around the world, a star name would turn their noses up at such tasks. Rooney relishes them.

'I have played in a few different positions over the last few weeks,' he said.

'Sometimes you can't express yourself as much as you would like but you have to do a job for the team.

'For me it is easy to see the bigger picture. Maybe other players around the world don't want to put the work in.

'You never really see any of the top players running back and helping out like that. For me it is about the team. I have no problem with that.'

Barton can save Newcastle, insists Shearer

Newcastle manager Alan Shearer is hoping forgotten man Joey Barton can revitalise his midfield just when he needs it most.

The 26-year-old former Manchester City player is expected to return to full training later this week after recovering from a fractured metatarsal and would then be in contention for the make-or-break Barclays Premier League clash with Portsmouth on Monday evening.

The Magpies midfield has lacked penetration in recent months, leaving the club's strikers starved of meaningful possession, so the return of a man who is yet to even start paying off his £5.8million transfer fee cannot come soon enough.
At his peak with City, Barton both scored and created goals, and Shearer is desperate for him to do just that as his side prepare for their final five games of the campaign, with three of them must-win affairs at St James' Park.

The manager said: 'Joey has had treatment all over the weekend and if everything goes well with him over the next few days, we might have him in full training on Thursday or Friday.

'He can also run on and get past the forwards, which, with all due respect, Nicky Butt, who is 34, can't do.

'He does well in other jobs that he does, but he can't get past the forwards, and if Joey is there to do that, then it would free up some other players.'

Barton was signed by former boss Sam Allardyce in July 2007, but has managed only 31 appearances since as a result of injuries and his spell in prison.

Just five of his 25 starts have come this season with knee and foot problems having severely restricted his attempts to belatedly prove his worth on Tyneside.

The Magpies are yet to see anything like his best form on a consistent basis, and Shearer will keep his fingers crossed that he can prove an inspirational figure in what is effectively a five-game shoot-out.

Newcastle's chances of top-flight survival have realistically come down to their remaining home games against Pompey, Middlesbrough and Fulham with only three victories likely to keep them up.

Barton's return, as well as that of Jose Enrique, who has missed the last two games with a knee injury, could prove significant, although the club was today awaiting the outcome of a scan on Steven Taylor's ankle problem.

It promises to be a tense few weeks on Tyneside as the Magpies attempt to dig themselves out of a hole entirely of their own making.

However, despite the ongoing uncertainty, planning for next season is under way. Shearer has repeatedly insisted he will not be at the helm come August with Joe Kinnear expected to return in some capacity, although the 38-year-old's denials have done little to dispel speculation that he could remain in charge.

But whatever happens over the next few weeks on and off the field, the process of identifying potential summer transfer targets is continuing despite the club not knowing which division they will be playing in next term.

Shearer said: 'That's all still happening. There have been one or two tweaks to the system, but it all has to happen for next season.

'That's for the benefit for the football club next season.'

Perhaps significantly, Shearer's return to St James' was confirmed hours after it emerged that controversial executive director (football) Dennis Wise, who was employed to oversee recruitment, had parted company with Newcastle.

RSS ICON Your views Bellamy set to miss rest of season

Manchester City manager Mark Hughes has confirmed striker Craig Bellamy is almost certainly out for the rest of the season because of a knee injury.

Bellamy, who arrived from West Ham in January, has missed the last three matches after suffering the setback during the UEFA Cup quarter-final first-leg defeat at Hamburg.

Hughes said: 'Craig has got to have complete rest for two weeks then he comes back for strength work.
'Hopefully he might get the last couple of games, but the probability is that he won't.'

Bellamy's absence is a blow for Hughes as his side are anxious to claim seventh place and a spot in the Europa League.

The 29-year-old - who had problems with the knee on international duty with Wales last month - settled in quickly at Eastlands following his move from the Hammers.

Bellamy scored five goals in 10 starts for City before seeing his progress hampered by the injury.

There was better news regarding the fitness of Bulgaria striker Valeri Bojinov, who will play for the reserves tonight at Middlesbrough after being left out the squad for the victory against West Brom on Sunday.

Hughes said: 'He needs more physical work and we're hoping he comes through at Middlesbrough to be available at the weekend.'

Shaun Wright-Phillips is still struggling to recover from the ankle damage that has ruled him out of the last three games while Pablo Zabaleta's hamstring injury is also cause for concern, with Hughes admitting: 'We've probably lost him for a number of games.'

Hiddink: I won't manage Chelsea and Russia

Guus Hiddink has ruled out any prospect of combining both the Russia and Chelsea jobs next season.

The Dutchman is currently combining both roles and continues to insist he will leave Chelsea after the FA Cup final at Wembley on May 30.

Hiddink has now dismissed any chance of combining the roles next season as he attempts to guide Russia into the 2010 World Cup finals in South Africa.

Hiddink has a clause in his contract with the Russian Football Federation that allows him to leave the job should they fail to reach the finals.

He has transformed Chelsea since he took charge from sacked Luiz Felipe Scolari and fans and most of the players are keen for him to stay.

The Blues are in the final of the FA Cup and in the last four of the Champions League as well as having an outside chance of snatching the league title from Manchester United.

But even if the Barclays Premier League club reached a further agreement with the Russian Federation to allow Hiddink to continue in both roles until their World Cup fate was known, the Dutchman would turn it down.

'It's important this relationship I have with the Russia players,' said Hiddink.

'Because, even on a practical level, it's impossible to do. In August we have a friendly game which is 48 hours before a Chelsea game.

'Then you have to look at all the Russian players ahead of the qualifiers in September, and there are more qualifiers in October.

'Hopefully not in November, but there is a possibility of a play-off. So I'll be very occupied with all that.

'I know the body of the squad - so scouting isn't the main issue, but I've challenged them and it wouldn't be fair for me to leave.

'There is this project I started to renew with my people. It would not be fair with the players who I challenged to go into a new era of football if I said: 'Sorry, I'm leaving'.'

Hiddink is preparing his side for an FA Cup final dress rehearsal against Everton tomorrow and he knows that victory will keep their dreams of a trophy-treble alive.

'We have the attitude in the club, even in training sessions, that we want to win. So, what I try to say, is that tomorrow's game we want to win as well.

'What's coming up at the end of May, at that time we will see. We still take these games seriously, even though we have the Champions League and the FA Cup coming up.

'The league is very serious for us. As long as it's possible for us, then we go on. The pressure is more on Liverpool than us in terms of Manchester United and the title.

'Mathematically it's possible. In February we had to make sure we qualified for next year's Champions League, but you cannot just be satisfied with that being such a big club.

'Everybody has done what is expected of him, so you push your targets higher. We are doing that. If you'd told us in February that we'd be playing in the FA Cup final on May 30, people would have raised eyebrows.'

Chelsea's season is reaching an exciting climax but Hiddink is refusing to rest some of his key players as they chase glory on three fronts.

The Dutchman is without Deco and Jose Bosingwa for tomorrow's home clash with the Toffees but he is keeping a close watch on the fitness levels of his squad - both mentally and physically.

'I'm very informed by my eye and the eyes of Ray Wilkins as well as by the staff who provide the data and the information on players, to make sure no player gets into an over-load situation,' explained Hiddink.

'Physical fatigue has lots to do with mental fatigue. The body can do a lot of things, but the mental part can obstruct the body.

'But it depends on a player's character, too. Some say they feel 'top' because they like to play, and it's better for me to protect them. Others you have to push a bit harder.'

O'Neill: Villa lack the cash

Martin O'Neill has admitted Aston Villa "won't be able to compete financially" with the big four clubs in the Barclays Premier League.

But the Villa manager insists he is still driven on to succeed and to overcome that disadvantage.

"We won't be able to compete financially. We are trying to run this as a business at this minute. That is difficult, especially in this day and age," he said. "It is a tough old business. Financially it is tough out there - and we are not going to be running this club in the manner of some other clubs.

"But I think that is part of the excitement of it all. You have to try and find other ways to compete. I don't think we'll ever be up there in finance terms but it doesn't mean you cannot compete in other ways."

Villa have been in the top six virtually all season and were in strong contention for a Champions League spot until a recent poor run of results left them trailing Arsenal by seven points.

O'Neill added "We have been up there all season, never out of the top six.

"But we are in the same league as Manchester United, who have gates of 75,000 and are a different entity. We are in there against Arsenal, who house 60,000 fans every home game.

"Then we are against the other two (Liverpool and Chelsea), who have our sort of gates but not only have the experience behind them but a lot of money to go at it as well."

Santa Cruz set on Rovers exit

Paraguay striker Roque Santa Cruz claims he has told Blackburn he wants to leave the club at the end of the season.

The 27-year-old, currently recuperating after undergoing a surgical procedure on his troublesome right knee last week, told Paraguayan radio he has informed Rovers he wants to move on in the summer.

'I have already told them (Blackburn) and they know that before the transfer window closes I would like to continue my career at a bigger, more ambitious team,' he told Radio Nanduti.
He added: 'Even though I haven't heard anything, I haven't changed my mind. I think it will be very difficult for me to play again this season because of the recovery. Our last league match is on May 24 and I also need a couple of days for my knee to physically recover.'

The former Bayern Munich frontman could, therefore, have played his last match for Blackburn, as he does not intend to take to the field again before he is 100% fit.

Santa Cruz last week underwent an arthroscopy in Germany, which showed 'a minor degree of wear and tear'. He had the joint washed out but did not require any active surgical procedure.

'I had to clean the zone of the cruciate ligament operation I had three or four years ago because there was some liquid there,' he said.

'When I had the tendonitis in the left knee, it made the other leg overwork. That's why it got worse and I needed the surgery.

'Now, it is up to the knee. The recovery time is between four and six weeks and I will not hurry. The most important thing is to play without any problems. I will wait for my knee to be perfect, no matter how long it takes.'

Liverpool hit back in Rafa row

Liverpool assistant manager Sammy Lee has dismissed criticism of boss Rafael Benitez as 'sad'.

And Lee has questioned why Blackburn chief Sam Allardyce never mentioned to him he felt humiliated by the Spaniard's hand gesture after the recent Premier League match at Anfield.

Both Allardyce and Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson attacked Benitez for a gesture he made when his side scored the second of their four goals against Rovers.

But Lee, who was Allardyce's former No.2 at Bolton, felt the Rovers boss should have voiced his concerns at the time if he felt there was an issue.

Lee said: 'I'm surprised Sam, if he felt that strongly about it, didn't mention it to me when we were sat having a drink after the game. We have a close relationship but I can't speak for what other people read into things.

'We know what we want out of football and it is not for us to talk about other clubs. When people are successful others will always want to knock you.'

Wenger tells Fergie to forget mind games

Arsene Wenger insists he has no interest in being drawn into Sir Alex Ferguson's mind games ahead of tonight's trip to Anfield.

The Manchester United manager has clashed with Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez this season and could not resist having his say ahead of Arsenal's visit, which could have a crucial bearing on the title race.

Ferguson's side are a point clear of the Reds at the top of the Premier League with a game in hand.
A point for Benitez's men would be enough to send them top once more and Arsenal's chances of avoiding defeat could be harmed if Wenger decides to make wholesale changes to the team defeated by Chelsea in the FA Cup semi-final on Saturday.

Striker Emmanuel Adebayor will be rested as he has a slight hamstring problem while leading scorer Robin van Persie is absent with a groin strain.

Ferguson, who fielded a virtual reserve team himself in United's semi-final loss to Everton on Sunday, said: 'I don't know what Arsene will be thinking about tonight but, no matter what, Arsenal always try.

'That is the mantra of Arsene himself. He is a winner. Providing they try, it is all I can ask for.'

Wenger, though, is unconcerned by what rival managers have to say. He insisted: 'I believe it [mind games] was always something which was overrated a bit.

'It is a little bit like advertising - it is needed but what impact it has on sales you never know.I believe it can sometimes have a negative impact rather than a positive impact.'