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

Iwelumo (30) gets Scotland nod

WOLVES striker Chris Iwelumo aims to become an established member of Scotland's old brigade after winning his first call-up at the age of 30.

The former St Mirren forward was yesterday named in George Burley's pool for the World Cup qualifier against Norway on October 11th.

The Coatbridge-born player feared his chance had passed him by after a number of false starts.

Berti Vogts planned to name him in his squad for the Far East tour in 2002 but Stoke's qualification for the play-offs scuppered his chance.

Six years on, Iwelumo is looking to follow the likes of Paul Hartley and Graham Alexander by developing into a regular Scotland player late in his career.

"I was having a look at the last squad and there were probably four players over 30 in there," he said.

"It has been a long time coming but I'm just delighted it's happened."

Kinnear hints at extension of eight-game contract

NEWCASTLE manager Joe Kinnear has revealed owner Mike Ashley is in talks with eight prospective buyers for the club.

The 61-year-old, who was drafted in as interim manager last Friday, knows his days at St James' Park are numbered. But as efforts to push through a sale continue, he hinted he could be at the helm a little longer than first thought.

Asked if his stay could be permanent, Kinnear said: "I don't think so, to be honest, because I know for a fact Mike is talking to eight consortiums . . . because he has told me that himself.

"Who they are, what they are, when it will happen, there is no time-scale on it. I am contracted for eight games, but I assume that should due diligence and the deals go on a little bit longer, it may run into 10 or 12 games."

It is understood prospectuses of sale - an official document detailing the club's financial position - have been sent to seven parties, consortia from Nigeria and South Africa being the most prominent.

Zenit dismiss 'mafia' reports

ZENIT St Petersburg distanced themselves yesterday from reports of an alleged attempt by Russian mafia figures to fix last season's Uefa Cup semi-final between the Russian club and Bayern Munich.

Judicial sources in Spain confirmed on Wednesday a Spanish judge had sent recordings purporting to reveal a match-fixing plot to German authorities.

Russian champions Zenit crushed Bayern 4-0 at home in the second leg of their tie to win 5-1 on aggregate before going on to beat Glasgow Rangers in the final.

"There is nothing to comment on because, even if there is some investigation, Zenit has nothing to do with this," Alexei Petrov, a club spokesman, told Reuters.

"We have nothing to do with whoever it is that is alleged to be behind this, whether it is so-called Russian mafia or whoever."

Sports minister Vitaly Mutko, who is also president of the Russian Football Union, said the allegations were another attempt to discredit the country's soccer.

Keane sees big future with Torres

ROBBIE Keane believes he is on the brink of a prolific partnership with his Liverpool team-mate Fernando Torres.

The pair had struggled to hit it off since Keane's €25-million move from Tottenham. But in the last two matches they have made goals for each other as well as scoring.

Keane's view was reinforced by the way the pair linked up in the 3-1 Champions League success over PSV Eindhoven. Keane scored his first for Liverpool, created by the Spaniard, while Keane had helped to set up both of Torres' strikes against Everton at the weekend.

Now Keane said: "I helped make two for Fernando on Saturday and he has responded with a great assist for me.

Like any partnership it takes time. . . Hopefully this is the beginning of a hatful of goals for the pair of us."

Rooney to be fit for England

MANCHESTER United striker Wayne Rooney is expected to be fit for England's World Cup qualifying matches against Kazakhstan and Belarus.

The 22-year-old picked up an ankle injury in the 3-0 Champions League victory over Aalborg in Denmark on Tuesday.

Rooney, who scored United's first goal, limped out of the match in the 59th minute and is expected to miss their Premier League clash with Blackburn tomorrow.

Fifa take firm line with Poles

FIFA confirmed yesterday they have warned the Polish authorities the country's two World Cup qualifiers next month will be forfeited unless the government reinstates the football association by next Monday.

Poland, who are in Northern Ireland's group, are due to face the Czech Republic on October 11th and Slovakia four days later.

If they forfeit the matches, their opponents would be awarded regulation 3-0 victories.

The Polish federation was suspended on Monday for allegedly failing to address corruption, and the government have appointed an administrator, Robert Zawlocki, to run the organisation.

But Uefa and Fifa say they will not recognise the administrator - both take a firm line that there should be no political interference in national associations.

Uefa on Tuesday warned the situation could jeopardise Poland's hosting of Euro 2012.