Today's other soccer stories

Glazers dismiss takeover talk

The Glazer family yesterday firmly dismissed any chance of a Manchester United takeover in response to the latest rumours suggesting the club is being targeted by overseas investors.

Rival groups from China and Dubai were reported yesterday to be preparing €1.5 billion takeover bids for the club. But the Glazers moved quickly to stress that no bid has been made and that in any case the club is definitely not for sale.

A spokesman for the family said: "Manchester United is not for sale. The Glazer family are not engaged in any discussion with any prospective bidder and it is not courting bidders for Manchester United."

The Glazers paid €1.1 billion for United over two years ago to complete a takeover that was initially controversial with a section of the club's fans.

Clarke says he's lucky to be alive

Leicester's Republic of Ireland defender Clive Clarke has admitted he is lucky to be alive after suffering a double heart failure during last week's game against Nottingham Forest.

The on-loan Sunderland player collapsed at half-time during the English League Cup tie on Tuesday and had to be taken to hospital.

"I know I am extremely fortunate to be here," said Clarke. "In the light of recent events involving footballers who have suffered heart attacks, I am the real lucky one, because I have survived.

"I remember feeling a bit lethargic on the field in the first half, and I was involved in a collision with our goalkeeper Paul Henderson, which led to their goal.

"I sat quietly in a corner of the dressing room and felt a bit queasy. I can recall Patrick Kisnorbo talking to me, but it wasn't really registering. Then I just passed out.

"When I was told what had happened, the blood drained from my body. I just thought I could have been dead, and that I might never have seen my family again.

"When you think about Sevilla player Antonio Puerta (who collapsed last Saturday and died on Tuesday), it goes without saying that a day won't pass when I don't cherish every moment in my life."

Kane to play for the North

Promising Blackburn defender Tony Kane has opted to play for Northern Ireland instead of the Republic of Ireland.

Kane (20) has been drafted in to Nigel Worthington's squad for the Euro 2008 qualifiers against Latvia and Iceland on September 8th and 12th. Worthington turned to Kane as there remain concerns about the fitness of skipper, Fulham's Aaron Hughes.

Worthington is now hoping Manchester United's Darron Gibson will follow Kane's path and swap the Republic for Northern Ireland before the end of the qualifying campaign.

Heskey gets surprise recall

Emile Heskey has been given a shock recall to the England squad for the Euro 2008 qualification double-header with Israel and Russia.

The Wigan striker won the last of his 43 caps against France at Euro 2004 and it was thought his international days were behind him.

However, England manager Steve McClaren saw the 29-year-old in action for Wigan in their defeat at Newcastle on Saturday and was impressed enough to make contact with the club yesterday morning and request his release.