A round-up of the day's other soccer news from Britain and at home.
Douglas signs
Republic of Ireland midfielder Jonathon Douglas has signed a new three-year contract with Blackburn to take him up to the summer of 2007. The 22-year-old, whose current deal expired this month, told the club's official website, www.rovers.co.uk: "I'm delighted. It's a very good club and I've been here since I was 16. Hopefully I will be able to get involved more, I started playing towards the end of last season and if I can keep injury free and keep working hard then I will be able to play the games I really want to play."
Race on for Wright
Everton have joined Leeds in the race to sign out-of-contract Ipswich midfielder Jermaine Wright. Ipswich boss Joe Royle, who wants the 28-year-old to extend his five-year stay at Portman Road, is looking for a decision before the end of the week.
Wright has been asked to take a significant cut in salary - and the terms on offer at Goodison Park and Elland Road are far more attractive.
Royle said: "The odds are that Jamma will be moving on. He is coveted by both Everton and Leeds. "It is now up to him to decide and, while he has until the 28th of the month, I have spoken to his agent and both him and Jamma agree I need to know what is happening as soon as possible."
Hasselbaink claim
Jimmy-Floyd Hasselbaink's agent yesterday invited Celtic to make an official approach for the Chelsea striker. The Dutch international still has one year left to run on his Stamford Bridge contract but it is believed he is on Martin O'Neill's summer shopping list. Meanwhile, Yildiray Basturk's agent has ruled out a move to Celtic after claiming they were unable to meet his wage demands. The Turkish international is leaving Bayer Leverkusen on a Bosman free and has attracted interest from Britain and other Bundesliga clubs including Werder Bremen and Hertha Berlin.
In brief . . . .
Trevor Molloy of Shamrock Rovers has been named the Eircom/Soccer Writers' Association Player of the Month for May . . .
Ronaldinho has been awarded a major contract improvement by Barcelona to ward off any hostile bids from rival clubs. Spanish newspapers reported the buy-out clause on the 24-year-old's contract had been raised from 100 million to 150 million until June 2005, after which date it would be reduced in stages to 80 million by the end of his contract in June 2008 . . .
Bolton yesterday snapped up Leeds striker Michael Bridges on a one-year contract with the option of another 12 months. He spent the second half of last season on loan to Newcastle . . .
Dwight Yorke insists he has three years left at the top after deciding against a permanent return to international football with Trinidad and Tobago. He played in the second half of the friendly against Northern Ireland on Monday apparently at the request of the Prime Minister. But Yorke told reporters in Trinidad: "As far as me returning to international football that is almost impossible. I have been retired now for three years and that hasn't changed" . . .
Brazil head FIFA's world rankings for May with France second while the Republic of Ireland have moved up a place to 14th.
