Today's other stories in brief
'Do right thing' Chelsea
John Terry has urged Chelsea to "do the right thing" and ensure that Jose Mourinho remains the club's manager for next season and beyond. There has been speculation that Mourinho could be forced out of Stamford Bridge this summer but the club's influential captain was last night adamant that any problem between his manager and Roman Abramovich should be repaired and suggested it would be impossible to sack the Portuguese should he win four trophies this season.
Asked if it was possible for Mourinho to leave after winning a quadruple of major trophies, Terry said: "No, definitely not. I don't see anyone leaving the club this summer at all. "
PFA nominations
Premiership leaders Manchester United dominate the nominations for the Professional Footballers' Association Player of the Year award, with man of the moment Cristiano Ronaldo, Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes all making the six-man shortlist. Republic of Ireland and Reading striker Kevin Doyle (23) is in the running for the Young Player of the Year award.
PFA nominations: Didier Drogba (Chelsea), Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Ryan Giggs, Cristiano Ronaldo and Paul Scholes (all Manchester United). Young Player nominations: Wayne Rooney and Ronaldo (both Manchester United), Fabregas (Arsenal), Kevin Doyle (Reading), Aaron Lennon (Tottenham) and Micah Richards (Manchester City).
The winners will be announced on April 22nd.
Maradona improving
Diego Maradona's health is improving, according to a new medical report from doctors at Los Arcos hospital in Buenos Aires. Maradona was re-admitted to hospital on Friday suffering from severe abdominal pains, two days after being discharged from Guemes hospital where he was treated for hepatitis brought on by alcohol poisoning.
Duff ruled out
Newcastle winger Damien Duff has been ruled out for the rest of the season with an ankle injury. The 28-year-old Republic of Ireland international limped out of Saturday's 2-1 defeat at Portsmouth. Following an X-ray, manager Glenn Roeder has admitted Duff will be unavailable for the rest of the season. "While an X-ray has shown there is no break, Damien has a badly swollen ankle and our medical people tell us that he will not be able to play again this season," Roeder told the club's official website.
Crouch wants to stay
Liverpool striker Peter Crouch has stressed his determination to stay at the club despite continued speculation about his future.The England international is top scorer with 18 goals this season but with manager Rafael Benitez expected to be handed a huge transfer fund in the summer by new American owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks many players may find themselves fighting for their Anfield careers. Crouch has been linked with, among others, Newcastle and Tottenham but he has no desire to leave. "It has never entered my head to leave the club. I'm happy here," he said.
United take lead
Sam Hewson put Manchester United's youngsters on target for their 10th FA Youth Cup triumph with a late penalty at Anfield last night in the final's first leg. Holders Liverpool had taken the lead in the first half with a fine header from the impressive Craig Lindfield.
But in front of a 19,518 crowd, an own goal from Robbie Threlfall gave United parity soon after the break before Hewson bagged his fifth goal in the tournament to send United confidently into the Old Trafford second leg on April 26th.
