A round-up of today's other stories in brief
Shevchenko has a last laugh
AC Milan striker Andriy Shevchenko has laughed off speculation linking him with Chelsea. The former European Player of the Year , in quotes reported on the www.acmilan.com website as he spoke to journalists at Milan's Malpensa airport, used humour to end the speculation.
The 29-year-old Ukrainian forward said: "I thank the English journalists because, thanks to this, Milan will want to prolong my contract. I have heard this for three years now but I am not bothered. Let me be, there's no need to deny anything and it's clear I am fine here."
Eager Reid wants to stay a Rover
Blackburn midfielder Steven Reid is anxious to sign a new deal with the Ewood Park club, despite speculation linking him with a summer move to Manchester United.
The current form of the Republic of Ireland international has apparently not gone unnoticed at Old Trafford, with the 25-year-old seemingly attracting admiring glances from United manager Alex Ferguson. Talks have yet to start on an extension to his current deal, which runs out at the end of next season.
"I've seen the speculation, and it's flattering because they are a massive club, but that's all it is at the moment." said Reid yesterday. "I guess I must be doing something right, but my full focus now is helping Blackburn get as far as they can this season, and hopefully then we can open talks over a new deal."
Fortune runs out of luck
Former South Africa international Quinton Fortune is to be released by Manchester United at the end of the season, manager Alex Ferguson said yesterday. The 28-year-old defender-cum-midfielder has not played in the first team this season because of a knee injury. He will not have his contract renewed when it expires.
"Quinton Fortune came to see me and asked what his future was going to be," Ferguson said. "I explained the situation to him the best I could, which was not easy because he is such a great lad.
"We have a lot of good young players in his position so we are not going to be renewing his contract."
Liverpool to let Kirkland go
Goalkeeper Chris Kirkland has been told he will have to leave Liverpool if he wants to play regular first team football.
The 24-year-old, who is currently on loan at West Brom, is out for the rest of the season with a broken finger.
"It is difficult because he is a good keeper, but with Pepe Reina, Jerzy Dudek and Scott Carson here, playing will not be easy for him," manager Rafael Benitez said yesterday. "We will talk with him and his agent to find a solution. He needs to play games."
Lawrenson overthrows Le Saux
Graeme Le Saux has quit the BBC after being dropped from their commentary team for England's World Cup matches. The BBC have confirmed the former England full-back, who has become a regular on Match of the Day, is no longer working for the corporation.
Le Saux had been due to be a pundit on MOTD tonight but quit after being told BBC sports chiefs had decided they wanted Mark Lawrenson instead as co-commentator at the World Cup finals.
A BBC spokeswoman said: "Graeme Le Saux was moved off the England commentary team because the BBC felt for games of this significance the audience would want the experience and expertise Mark Lawrenson brings to the commentary box."
