Aston Villa's controversial striker Stan Collymore is to seek stress counselling to help him overcome his "current difficulties".
It was thought that Villa's £7 million record signing would be severely dealt with by Villa after failing to turn up for Saturday's FA Cup clash with Fulham.
But the club have revealed that Collymore was not in a fit state to be considered - and instead have vowed to help the player through his current problems.
Collymore's tempestuous career has been full of twists, turns, disagreements and contretemps with playing colleagues and managers.
February 1995 brought the first hint of serious trouble when Collymore was acquitted of an assault charge for an alleged fight outside a nightclub. That season he scored 25 goals - 22 in the league - as Nottingham Forest finished third in the Premiership and qualified for the UEFA Cup.
During the summer he was transferred to Liverpool in an £8.5million move. But as the 1996-97 season kicked off Collymore still commuted from his West Midlands home.
On May 13th 1997 he joined Villa in a £7 million deal. Controversy was never far away, though, and in October he was sent off and given a three-match ban after exchanging blows with Bolton's Andy Todd. In March 1998 he hit the headlines again, accusing Liverpool defender Steve Harkness of racist abuse during a game. The Professional Footballers Association were forced to step in when neither player backed down. Both players then shook hands but agreed to disagree.
As the World Cup got under way in June 1998, Collymore upstaged the football action after an altercation in a Paris bar with then girlfriend Ulrika Jonsson. Through his agent Collymore expressed regret at what happened and made a public apology.
Cameroon international defender Marc-Vivien Foe has completed his move from Lens to West Ham, according to the French club.
The French champions claim Foe has signed a contract after completing a medical. Foe had been set for a move to Manchester United before he broke his leg last season while preparing for the World Cup, which he subsequently missed.
Troubled Celtic striker Mark Viduka yesterday promised he is at Celtic to stay and that he will never again turn his back on the club.
The Australian international striker lasted a mere 72 hours at Parkhead in December following his £3 million arrival from Croatia Zagreb, before leaving for Australia complaining of stress.
"Is there a guarantee I'll stay? I am back here - that is a good enough guarantee. I'm ready to start playing for Celtic and give my heart to the team just as the supporters give their hearts to every game," said Viduda.
UEFA will discuss FIFA president Sepp Blatter's plan for a biennial World Cup when they meet in Cape Town today. The FA Cup fifth-round tie between Manchester United and Fulham at Old Trafford will be shown live on UTV on Sunday, February 14th.
