KEANE: Roy Keane hopes to begin talks on a new contract with Manchester United in the new year. Keane has claimed that he has "never been happier" at United following reports that he was disgruntled and could join Celtic.
Now the United captain wants to reinforce those claims by committing his future to the Reds. Keane's representative, Michael Kennedy, has revealed that United are ready to open negotiations and he hopes talks will begin in the new year.
"United have indicated that they would like to sit down and talk to us," Kennedy said. "It will all depend on the terms offered, but Roy wants to stay. Manchester United is his club."
Keane reportedly picks up £52,000 sterling a week net under his current deal, which expires in the summer of 2003.
BROWN: Manchester United defender Wes Brown is facing an anxious wait for the results of a scan on his injured knee.
Reports suggest the 22-year-old centre-half has suffered serious ligament damage in his left knee and could be ruled out for the rest of the season.
If his absence is confirmed, the injury will deal a devastating blow to Brown's hopes of securing a place in England's World Cup squad for the finals in Korea and Japan next summer.
GOMES: Portugal striker Nuno Gomes does not want to move to England - because it is too cold. The Fiorentina forward has been linked with Liverpool as the Reds look for a replacement for Robbie Fowler and La Viola try to reduce their debts.
But Gomes, (25), said: "I don't like England as a country from the point of view of the weather. It is too cold."
Fiorentina have already been forced to sell goalkeeper Francesco Toldo, defender Tomas Repka and midfielder Manuel Rui Costa to stave off the threat of bankruptcy.
ORMEROD: Blackpool striker Brett Ormerod completed his £1.75 million sterling move to Southampton yesterday afternoon. The 25-year-old, who has scored 20 goals in Division Two this season, has signed a contract for four-and-a-half-years.
JUVENTUS: Juventus have already proved their prowess on the pitch and yesterday the club presented plans to translate that success to the stock market.
Juve, Italian league champions a record 25 times, unveiled the terms of its initial public offering (IPO) of shares and valued itself at up to €508 million.
INZAGHI: Italian international striker Filippo Inzaghi could be out of action for up to four months after undergoing surgery on his injured left knee yesterday.
WORLD CUP: England's opening World Cup match against Sweden on Sunday, June 2nd has been put back four hours to avoid a potential ratings disaster.
The game in Saitama was due to kick-off at 6.30 a.m. Irish time. However the match will now start at 10.30 a.m..
REFEREE BIAS: The English Football League yesterday apologised to Asian referee Gurnam Singh, after it was found guilty of racially discriminating against him and preventing him from being promoted to Premier League matches.
