A roundup of today's other stories in brief.

Two bids for Henry

Arsenal vice-chairman David Dein has admitted the club came close to losing striker Thierry Henry. The 28-year-old Frenchman signed a new four-year deal last week to end speculation over a big-money move to Spain.

Dein has revealed the London club turned down two £50 million offers for their top marksman and when asked if Henry had come close to leaving, he said: "I think he probably did. And of course, he only made his decision on Thursday evening and we were on tenterhooks for the best part of six to eight months.

"I don't know whether he did (talk to another club), but it was quite clear because we had two of the biggest Spanish clubs in touch with us wanting to know what was going to happen to his career at the end of the season.

"Obviously, we were not in a selling mode. We wanted to keep Thierry, we believed Thierry had to be part of our future and we were going to do everything possible to make him stay at Arsenal."

Henry finally told manager Arsene Wenger he was staying last Thursday, 24 hours after his Champions League dream was ended by Barcelona, one of his possible destinations.

Dein sensed what his decision was as the meeting got under way. "He rationalised on what went through his mind, and it was clear to us right from the onset that he was going to stay," he added.

Lampard staying put

Chelsea will begin contract talks with England international Frank Lampard after this summer's World Cup, according to the midfielder's agent.

The 28-year-old midfielder had been linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge but recently revealed his intention to stay.

Steve Kutner, who is Lampard's representative, said: "I have spoken to Peter Kenyon and we are looking to sit down shortly after the World Cup to continue talking about a new contract for Frank."

Stand-by for Dawson

Tottenham defender Michael Dawson has been called into England's World Cup squad as a stand-by. The 22-year-old Dawson replaces Luke Young, who withdrew on Saturday after aggravating an ankle injury in training.

The former Nottingham Forest defender has never been picked for Sven-Goran Eriksson's full squad before but has been a regular at under-21 level recently. He will join his new international team-mates when they meet up in Watford tomorrow.

Defoe interests Roeder

Newcastle United manager Glenn Roeder has refused to rule out a summer move for Tottenham Hotspur striker Jermain Defoe.

The 23-year-old is rumoured to be on his way out of White Hart Lane after Spurs spent £10.9 million on Bulgaria striker Dimitar Berbatov last week.

Roeder insisted no deal was imminent, but admitted signing Defoe was not out of the question. "I am not surprised that Jermain has been linked with us," Roeder said. "I know him well and I helped him to develop as a player.

"But he is one of many players linked with us and I cannot say 'yes' or 'no' about anyone at the moment."

US tour defeat

A dream goal from midfielder Fabian Estoyanoff meant Northern Ireland experienced defeat in the first match of their US tour last night, losing to Uruguay. Estoyanoff, who spent last season at Cadiz in Spain's Primera Liga, enduring a relegation season, arrowed home the only goal of the game in the 33rd minute.

Northern Ireland goalkeeper Michael Ingham was beaten from 35 yards, and Lawrie Sanchez's side could not muster an equaliser.

Indeed, they were fortunate to lose by only a single goal as Uruguay improved after half-time, with a combination of Ingham's saves and poor finishing keeping Northern Ireland in touch.

Sanchez handed debuts to Nottingham Forest midfielder Sammy Clingan and Lincoln's Jeff Hughes at the Giants Stadium in New Jersey.

Wales win

Ryan Giggs and Craig Bellamy turned on the style to earn Wales a deserved victory in Bilbao yesterday. It may not have been a full international, but it was played like one and John Toshack's blend of youngsters and established stars inflicted a rare defeat on the Basque XI, only their second in 14 years.

Toshack, who has lived in the Basque country for over 20 years and become a legend at Real Sociedad, had every reason to cherish the Welsh victory as it came thanks to the neat, clever, mobile play he loves.

In brief . . .

Middlesbrough striker Mark Viduka has been named as Australia's captain for the World Cup finals . . . Manchester City's Danny Sturridge (16) has signed a three-year contract with the club, refuting reports the striker would join Chelsea or Arsenal.