SOCCER/News: There was renewed speculation yesterday that Steve Finnan will be the first summer signing to be confirmed by Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier, and that the Frenchman is also set to offer Blackburn Rovers almost €18 million for Damien Duff, writes Emmet Malone.

Both names are amongst those submitted by Houllier to the Liverpool board as close season targets, and it is widely believed in England that the Finnan deal is more or less done.

Speaking on BBC local radio yesterday, the Fulham player denied any knowledge of the move, although his subsequent qualification that "if a top four or five team comes in, then you've got to think seriously about it," seems just a little suspicious given that Liverpool will finish either fourth or fifth depending on how Sunday's game at Chelsea goes.

Houllier's ability to add Duff to his squad is far less certain, and with Manchester United also reported to be keen on the Irish winger, Liverpool may need to nail down the last remaining place in next season's Champions League if they hope to be able to compete with the Premiership champions for the Blackburn player's signature.

Former Ireland right back Curtis Fleming, meanwhile, has expressed concern over his future at Crystal Palace, where the chairman has made it clear he expects sweeping changes from whoever he appoints to succeed Trevor Francis as manager.

"Sometimes I think people don't always appreciate what happens when a new manager comes in," said Fleming, the club's captain this season. "Even if you've got a contract, a new manager will have his own ideas of who he wants to keep at the club. I know if a new man comes in and doesn't like the way I play, there's nothing I can really do about that."

In the wake of former under-21 international Mark McKeever's release by Bristol Rovers on Wednesday, it was confirmed Celtic's Michael Doyle will sign for Coventry City at the start of July. The midfielder, who played six times for Don Givens last year and had a spell on loan in Denmark with Aarhus, played twice for City's reserves while on loan at the club last week and did well enough to earn himself the offer of a two-year contract.

The FAI has confirmed that the opening game of Ireland's Under-19 European Championship qualification mini-tournament against England in Tolka Park on Monday week will be all ticket. Ireland also play Switzerland and Slovenia that week for a place in July's tournament finals.