SOCCER SHORTS:AFTER SUFFERING a series of injuries that have limited his appearances for Espanyol there have been reports that Republic of Ireland defender Steve Finnan could return to England, but the Catalan outfit have ruled out such a move.

Finnan will not be leaving in the winter transfer market despite interest from Tottenham and Arsenal, the club said yesterday.

The Irish international has played just twice since joining them in the summer from Liverpool, because a run of bad luck has kept him sidelined through injury.

With Espanyol having been unable to play him, it was rumoured that Finnan would look to move back to England; but that has been dismissed by coach Mané and sporting director Paco Herrera.

"Finnan is staying at Espanyol because we consider him an important player who will help us in the second half of the season, said Herrera.

"I am convinced that Finnan will be decisive in our defence," added Mané.

Diarra says City offered more

FRANCE MIDFIELDER Lassana Diarra has revealed Manchester City offered him a greater financial package than Real Madrid. Diarra, however, opted to move to Spain and passed a medical on Monday en route to completing his move from Portsmouth for a reported €21 million fee.

"Were Manchester City keen to sign me? Yes, indeed. On a financial level, I would have earned a lot more," he told L'Equipe.

Celtic sign Czech teenager

CELTIC YESTERDAY completed the signing of Czech teenager Milan Misun from FK Pribram. The 18-year-old full-back has signed a four-year deal with the Scottish champions and will officially join when the transfer window opens on January 1st.

Celtic have also signed Dundee United goalkeeper Lukasz Zaluska on a pre-contract agreement. The 26-year-old will complete his move to the Scottish champions at the end of the season, when his current deal with the Tannadice club expires.

Meanwhile, the Scottish Football Association announced yesterday that the January transfer window has been extended until 5pm on Monday, February 2nd. The move, which has also been confirmed by the Scottish Premier League, has been brought about because January 31st falls on a Saturday.

Waterford United have confirmed that Stephen Henderson will take over as manager for the coming season. The former Cobh Rambler's manager has agreed a one-year deal.

N'Zogbia wants to leave Newcastle

CHARLES N'ZOGBIA has confirmed his intention to leave Newcastle because the Magpies don't match his lofty ambitions.

N'Zogbia's future at St James' Park has been the subject of conjecture amid reports that he has grown frustrated with his inconsistent chances in the first team.

Arsenal and Paris St Germain have been mooted as interested parties in the winger, while reports also suggest Aston Villa would like to sign him. N'Zogbia is keen for a new challenge away from Tyneside and is hopeful of sealing an exit in the near future.

He told L'Equipe: "After four years at Newcastle, I want to reach a higher level of ambition. I don't think that is possible here. I have given my all to the club, and I will go on to do so as long as I play."

It is believed that PSG could agree a swap deal for N'Zogbia with Mamadou Sakho heading in the opposite direction.

Blackpool may take legal action

BLACKPOOL ARE contemplating legal action against Leeds United and Simon Grayson on the basis that their former manager's defection to Elland Road yesterday was in breach of contract, writes Louise Taylor.

As Grayson stepped down from the Championship to succeed the sacked Gary McAllister at League One Leeds, his former employers at Blackpool were incandescent.

Unimpressed by a compensation offer from Leeds, understood to be just €211,000, they had refused Grayson permission to speak to Ken Bates, the Yorkshire club's owner, but were ignored.

Instead Grayson became United's ninth manager in 10 years.

• Guardian Service

Diouf may join his old boss

EL-HADJI DIOUF could leave Sunderland in the January transfer window. The former Liverpool and Bolton forward moved to the Stadium of Light in the summer but has only shown flashes of his best form and has still to score for his new club.

New Blackburn boss Sam Allardyce has been linked with a possible move for the Senegal international, who he knows well from his time at the Reebok Stadium. But while caretaker manager Ricky Sbragia does not want to keep an unsettled player in his squad, he will not allow Diouf to depart unless the terms of any proposed deal are right for Sunderland.

Sbragia said: "If he is wanted by Big Sam at Blackburn, or if he wants to go, there's not much I can do about it. But if that was the case, we would sit down and look at it and see if it was right for us and see if the fee was acceptable."