Soccer Shorts: Real Madrid are so keen to off-load Luis Figo that they have already offered him to Middlesbrough and are even prepared to agree to a season-long loan deal, whereby the two clubs would split the cost of his £80,000 a week salary.
Steve McClaren, Middlesbrough's manager, is an ardent admirer of the Portuguese winger and, as Alex Ferguson's number two was involved in Manchester United's abortive attempt to sign Figo a few seasons ago.
But the player's installation on Teesside remains far from inevitable. Though Figo has expressed an interest in the Premiership, Middlesbrough may not be the destination he envisaged. Moreover Steve Gibson, Middlesbrough's chairman, and Keith Lamb, chief executive, have pledged to concentrate on signing players aged under 28. Figo is 32.
"I don't know anything about Luis Figo joining us," Lamb insisted yesterday. "I don't think he'll be coming here. We aren't looking to sign players over 28."
Juventus back Liverpool
Juventus added their support yesterday to Liverpool's bid to defend their Champions League trophy next season. "Liverpool won the European Cup and they should have the right to defend their trophy," Juventus coach Fabio Capello said. "The champions should be involved but I think they should have to qualify like Brazil have to qualify for next year's World Cup."
However, a Uefa executive committee member believes it is too late to change the rules to accommodate Liverpool. Dr Joseph Mifsud, who is also the president of the Malta FA, said: "I believe we should follow the rules. If the rules permit it it is okay, if the rules do not permit it, no."
Meanwhile, Djimi Traore, Dietmar Hamann and skipper Steven Gerrard - who has already stated he will stay - are expected to have signed new deals before the squad return for pre-season training.
Owen targets record
Michael Owen has set his sights on becoming the first England player to score 50 goals after his hat-trick in the 3-2 win over Colombia in the US on Tuesday night moved him into fourth spot in his country's all-time list of marksmen. With 32 goals scored only Jimmy Greaves (44), Gary Lineker (48) and record-holder Bobby Charlton (49) are ahead of the Real Madrid striker who, at just 25, should have the best years of his career still ahead of him. Owen's tally has been achieved in 70 games and, although he acknowledges the half-century mark is a long way off still, it is a milestone he would take great pride in achieving.
Charlton sign Bent
Charlton have completed the signing of Ipswich striker Darren Bent after the England under-21 international completed a medical yesterday. The Premiership side will pay an initial £2.5 million, which may rise to £3 million, for the highly-rated forward who scored 19 goals in the English League Championship last season.
Charlton have been tracking Bent for two years and after Ipswich failed in their promotion bid, losing to West Ham in the play-offs, chairman David Sheepshanks reluctantly agreed to sell the club's biggest asset.
Scotland's injuries grow
Scotland coach Walter Smith will be without several injured players, including goalkeeper Rab Douglas for Saturday's World Cup Group Five qualifier against Moldova.
Smith said yesterday that Douglas had pulled out of the match in Glasgow with a heel injury.
Dundee United striker Steve Crawford is also out with a knee injury while fellow striker Garry O'Connor is sidelined with a back problem. Midfielder Nigel Quashie has been ruled out with a knee injury. Defenders Gary Naysmith and David McNamee had already withdrawn and midfielder Darren Fletcher and defender Brian O'Neil are doubtful.
Scotland, who also play Belarus in Minsk next Wednesday, have two points from four games and are fifth in the group, which is led by Italy on 12 points.
Northern Irish on show
Keith Gillespie, Phil Mulryne and Jeff Whitley will go in the shop window on Saturday in Belfast.
The experienced trio are looking for new clubs after being released by Leicester, Norwich and Sunderland respectively.
However they have all been recalled by Northern Ireland manager Lawrie Sanchez for the friendly against Germany at Windsor Park to mark the Irish Football Association's 125th anniversary.
Sanchez has named one uncapped player in his 19-man squad; goalkeeper Michael Ingham is joining League Two side Wrexham from Sunderland.
In brief . . .
Harry Redknapp has targeted former Chelsea midfielder Dennis Wise as the man to lead Southampton's charge back into the Premiership. The 38-year-old stepped down as Millwall player-manager at the end of last season and is looking for a new club to prolong his playing career . . . Tottenham will find out on Sunday if their disciplinary record last season will gain them qualification for the UEFA Cup. They are in a draw for the two remaining places with four other European clubs . . . Middlesbrough winger Stewart Downing has set his sights on the start of next season after an exploratory operation on his injured knee revealed no serious damage. The 20-year-old had part of his cartilage removed yesterday and although he faces a summer of rest and rehabilitation, he is expected to be fit when the new campaign resumes in August . . . Wolves have turned down an undisclosed seven-figure Sunderland offer for striker Kenny Miller. Scotland striker Miller, who is currently on the transfer list at his own request, scored 20 goals last season . . . Sol Campbell has assured Arsenal he will be fit to start pre-season training in early July after a scan revealed no ligament damage to his left ankle injured against the US.
