Chelsea's Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink has apologised to Roy Keane over the tackle which culminated in the Manchester United captain being sent off in Saturday's Charity Shield.
Chelsea's £15 million sterling striker sank his studs into Keane's ankle in the second half at Wembley, prompting a seething outburst from the Irishman. Referee Mike Riley took no action against Hasselbaink but, moments later when Keane sought retribution with an ugly challenge on Gustavo Poyet, he flashed his red card.
"I definitely was wrong and I would say sorry to him," admitted Hasselbaink after helping Chelsea clinch a Wembley win with his first senior goal for the club.
The red card marked Keane's seventh dismissal as a Manchester United player. His first came in the 1995 FA Cup semi-final against Crystal Palace at Villa Park for clashing with Darren Patterson. In August of the same year, he was sent off in a Premiership match against Blackburn at Ewood Park, and two months later was dismissed as Manchester United hosted Middlesbrough at Old Trafford.
Twelve months later, in October 1996, he received his marching orders in a Premiership match against Southampton at the Dell. Keane was also sent off in the FA Cup semi-final replay against Arsenal at Villa Park in April 1999 for two bookable offences, and in February of this year two bookings prompted his dismissal in a Premiership match against Newcastle at St James' Park.
German defender Christian Ziege has said he hopes to be joining Liverpool from Middlesbrough in the next few days.
"I had very interesting and positive talks with Liverpool last week," Ziege said in Barsinghausen, where he was training with the Germany team for a friendly international against Spain tomorrow.
"Now we have to wait and see," he added. "It would obviously be nice if the whole matter could be settled in the next few days." Liverpool have made a £5.5 million sterling bid for the 28-year-old wing-back, according to Anfield sources.
The transfer could pave the way for Dominic Matteo's departure from Liverpool to Leeds United. Matteo is understood to be one of three players boss David O'Leary has been chasing this summer - West Ham's Rio Ferdinand and John Arne Riise of Monaco the others.
But while moves for Ferdinand and Norway midfielder Riise have stalled, left-back Matteo could be in place for Saturday's home game against Everton.
With a £4 million bid apparently on the table for the 26-year-old, Liverpool were yesterday refusing to comment on the speculation. Leeds United chairman Peter Ridsdale also refused to confirm or deny a deal was in place, but he said: "We are hopeful of having at least one new player available for selection for the opening Premiership game."
Blackburn striker Ashley Ward has taken a step closer to a £1.5million move to Bradford.
City chairman Geoffrey Richmond had threatened to pull the plug on the deal and turn his attentions elsewhere unless Ward could iron out a contract settlement with Rovers. Ward has been negotiating a pay-off from the club as part of his contract.
Richmond had given Ward and his advisors until this evening to resolve the situation, although the City chief believes there is now cause for optimism.
"Progress has been made between Blackburn Rovers and Ashley Ward regarding the player's personal negotiations," he said.