A round-up of today's other stories in brief

Agger claims all is well at Anfield

LIVERPOOL defender Daniel Agger insists he has no issues with manager Roy Hodgson’s tactics and will continue to fight for his place in the team.

Reports in Agger’s homeland of Denmark appeared to suggest the defender did not agree with the style of play under the new Liverpool manager.

However, the 25-year-old claims his comments were subsequently misrepresented by newspapers in his home country.

“I am very disappointed with the papers in Denmark for the way they have done this story,” he said.

“I spoke to Danish TV after the game on Sunday and answered the questions that were put to me. I didn’t speak to the papers.”

“I am still happy and will keep fighting for my place.”

Meanwhile, former Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has hit out at the club’s hierarchy by claiming they “understood nothing about football”.

Mancini confirms City will cash in on Given

MANCHESTER City manager Roberto Mancini has warned any potential suitors they will not get Shay Given on the cheap.

Given is set to make his first appearance of the season in today’s League Cup tie at West Brom, just three days after Mancini confirmed he could leave City in January.

The Republic of Ireland star has lost out to Joe Hart in the battle to be City’s number one goalkeeper this season and is likely to seek pastures new when the transfer window opens in the new year.

Mancini has confirmed that Given is still wanted by City and will not be released without the buying club coming up with substantial funds.

“Shay is an important player and he will cost someone a lot of money,” said the City manager.

“I said Shay could leave the club if he wants and we have a good option but if he stayed it would be okay for me.”

Doolin to be named underage boss

FORMER UCD, Drogheda United and Cork City manager Paul Doolin is set to be named tomorrow as the new Republic of Ireland under-18 and under-19 manager, reports Emmet Malone.

He will replace Seán McCaffrey who will not have his contract renewed when it expires towards the end of the year.

Doolin is currently in charge of the Irish under-23 side, a part time and temporary role he was appointed to in March of this year.

Meanwhile, the order of the two FAI Cup semi-finals was decided yesterday with Bohemians now scheduled to take on Sligo Rovers at 8.05 on Friday, October 15th, and Shamrock Rovers due to host St Patrick’s Athletic, two days later at 3.15.

Wenger accepts his punishment

ARSENAL manager Arsene Wenger has accepted a charge of improper conduct and an €9,500 fine by the English Football Association following his actions at the end of the English Premier League match with Sunderland on Saturday.

Wenger was fuming after his side conceded a dramatic equaliser in the fifth minute of stoppage time at the Stadium of Light, which denied them the chance to go top of the table.

Blanc outlines plans for future

FRANCE, who suffered a humiliating exit from the World Cup, must overhaul their selection policies for developing young talent, new coach Laurent Blanc said yesterday.

Blanc told reporters at a Uefa conference in Madrid that the once mighty French side must put more emphasis on technical ability rather than physical power if they were to restore their status.

“Selection criteria at one time (in France) were for big players whereas in Spain it’s the football that counts, the technical qualities,” Blanc said. “The criteria are not good enough in France – we need other ones.”

Meanwhile, German World Cup winner Lothar Matthaus is set to take over as the new Bulgaria manager, the country’s football association has announced.

Paulo Bento has been appointed as Portugal’s national coach to replace Carlos Queiroz, who was sacked earlier this month