SoccerShorts: Brian Kerr has lost another defender to injury ahead of Ireland's triple bill of fixtures over the next fortnight. Kerr, without the services of Manchester City centre back Richard Dunne who underwent a double ankle operation before the end of the season, has now seen Sunderland's Gary Breen withdraw.
The 31-year-old has failed to recover from a knee injury sustained in the final game of Sunderland's promotion-winning campaign from the English Championship, a 1-0 win at home to Stoke.
Breen is now out of this Sunday's testimonial game against Celtic at Parkhead, as well as the World Cup qualifying matches with Israel at Lansdowne Road on June 4th and the Faroe Islands in Torshavn on June 8th.
"Gary's knee injury has failed to respond to daily treatment since the last game of the season and he has had to withdraw from these games," Kerr said.
"I am disappointed to lose a defender of Gary's experience, but I am hopeful he will be fit to return for the autumn internationals."
RTÉ have announced they will screen full deferred coverage of the Celtic v Ireland friendly on Sunday on RTÉ Two. The match, which is a testimonial for Jackie McNamara, will be broadcast from 6.05pm.
Ban for Ferdinand
Manchester United and England defender Rio Ferdinand was banned from driving, in his absence, yesterday after a court heard he was clocked travelling at more than 105mph on a motorway.
Magistrates disqualified the 26-year-old footballer from driving for 28 days and fined him £1,500.
Chairman of the bench Ashley Howells criticised Ferdinand - who is currently in Africa undertaking charity work - for failing to provide a positive role model for young people.
Diouf gets legal aid
El-Hadji Diouf, who earns £40,000-a-week playing with Bolton Wanderers, has successfully claimed legal aid to defend a spitting charge. The Senegal striker will have his legal expenses paid for by the British state. He was accused of spitting at a Middlesbrough fan during Bolton's 1-1 draw at the Riverside Stadium last November.
The former African player of the year denies the offence and his solicitor has written to Teesside magistrates to formally indicate the footballer will enter a not guilty plea. The case was adjourned this month and a pre-trial review will be held on June 21st.
Touch of reality
Chelsea are to find their next star signing through a reality TV show. The club are launching a nationwide search for a teenage unknown with the talent to make it in the top flight.
Hopefuls will be eliminated one by one - and the winner will land a professional contract with the Premiership champions. The prize is a place in the Chelsea academy and the prospect of one day joining the likes of John Terry and Frank Lampard.
The search will be shown in a new Sky One series called Football Icon. Club manager Jose Mourinho will decide the winner.
The show is open to players born between September 1st, 1987 and January 1st, 1989. Trials begin next month with regional heats in Manchester, the West Midlands and London.
Jones takes over
Cardiff have appointed Dave Jones as their new manager on a three-year contract. The former Stockport, Southampton and Wolves boss replaces Lennie Lawrence, who stepped aside on Monday, but will remain at the English Championship club on a consultancy basis.
Jones led Wolves to the Premiership via the play-offs in the 2002/'03 season, but was sacked in November 2004 following the club's relegation and a poor start to the 2004/'05 campaign.
Meanwhile, City owner Sam Hammam has appointed Peter Ridsdale as the club's new executive deputy chairman.
Beckham to stay
David Beckham has ruled out a return to the English Premiership, insisting he is "certain" he wants to retire in Spain. "It is difficult to adjust to life in another country in one year, it takes two years, I realise that," said the England captain, who joined Real Madrid in the summer of 2003. "I am happier now here than I have been before. I am certain I want to retire here."
Two less Saints
Southampton have released club captain Jason Dodd and former boss Steve Wigley as they look to cut costs and reduce staff following relegation from the Premiership.
Dodd (34) made 399 league appearances for the Saints, but only featured five times last season before spending a month on loan at Plymouth, helping them stay in the Championship.
Wigley took charge of Southampton for 14 games - winning only one - earlier in the season and left the club when Harry Redknapp took over as manager in December, only to return as youth team consultant.
