Sinclair eyes rum deal with Jamaica

Chelsea defender Frank Sinclair has opted to fight for a place in Jamaica's World Cup side rather than try for England. Wimbledon forward Robbie Earle, Derby striker Deon Burton and Portsmouth players Paul Hall and Fitzroy Simpson are already in the Jamaican set-up.

Jamaica's Brazilian coach Rene Simoes is to run his eye over other hopefuls, including Wimbledon's Marcus Gayle, later this month, and Sinclair stated his intentions yesterday.

"I've made up my mind I want to play for Jamaica," he said. "Robbie has convinced me that the set-up with Jamaica is excellent and now I have to convince the coach I am worth a place when he comes to England."

Arsenal and Dutch striker Dennis Bergkamp is one of five candidates for FIFA's Player of the Year award to be announced at the World Player Gala at Disneyland, Paris on January 12th.

Brazil and Inter Milan striker Ronaldo, who won the award last year while with Barcelona, is also among the candidates, along with fellow Brazilian Roberto Carlos, Spain's Raul (both Real Madrid) and Frenchman Zinedine Zidane (Juventus).

Ronaldo is likely to miss Inter's weekend clash at Vicenza with a knee injury after he twisted his right knee in Tuesday's UEFA Cup, third round first leg, 2-0 defeat by Strasbourg. The world's most expensive player limped from the pitch 20 minutes before the end.

In France, Auxerre midfielder Antoine Sibierski is the third first division player facing a possible 18-month ban for doping after positive tests on two urine samples. Sibierski's B sample has also tested positive for the anabolic steroid nandrolone, like those of Le Havre striker Cyrille Pouget and Toulouse defender Dominique Arribage.

In England, Fulham have signed Welsh international Alan Neilson from Southampton for £250,000. Kevin Keegan, whose job title is chief operations officer, and team manager Ray Wilkins turned to the 25-year-old when their £2.1 million bid for another Welsh defender - Blackburn's Chris Coleman - failed over personal terms. Fulham have spent over £4 million since Harrods owner Mohamed Al Fayed took over the London club in the summer.

John Fashanu's bid to become a football agent has hit a stumbling block because of a wrangle between the English FA and FIFA. The FA say they have carried out the normal checks on the former Aston Villa striker and that it is now up to FIFA to decide whether or not to grant him a licence. However, FIFA insist they need a firm recommendation from the FA, which they have not received.