Today's other stories in brief
Owen may wait
Newcastle striker Michael Owen has admitted he might have to wait to make his comeback. The 27-year-old had targeted Sunday's Premiership clash with Chelsea for his return after undergoing knee surgery last year. Manager Glenn Roeder claimed yesterday the England striker was "50-50" for the game despite picking up a minor groin strain in training but, if he does not make it this weekend, Owen is confident he will be ready by the time Newcastle head for Reading a week on Monday.
Newcastle manager Glenn Roeder has insisted he will have no hesitation in delaying Michael Owen's comeback, even though the England striker is "50-50" to make his comeback against Chelsea on Sunday. Solskjaer's plans
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has revealed next season is likely to be his last as a professional footballer. The 34-year-old has a contract with Manchester United until next summer, but told Norwegian newspaper VG he is unlikely to continue after that. However, he is determined to play out the rest of his career at Old Trafford.
"I'll most likely stay here. I have one year left on my contract and I'm aiming to do as well as possible to carry on," he said.
Clubs fined
Sheffield United and Reading have been fined for the incidents which marred the Premiership clash between the teams on January 20th. The clubs admitted failing to ensure that their players and/or officials conducted themselves in an orderly fashion and were respectively fined £10,000 and £5,000 by a Football Association disciplinary commission.
The hearing yesterday considered charges issued after a 53rd-minute challenge by Sheffield's Keith Gillespie on Stephen Hunt sparked unsavoury clashes in the match at the Madejski Stadium. Sheffield manager Neil Warnock and substitute Gillespie were sent off while Reading coach Wally Downes was also dismissed for his part in the melee during Reading's 3-1 win.
Wales eye Euro 2016
Wales football bosses intend to approach the Scottish FA with a proposal for a joint bid for the European Championships in 2016.
Wales have been encouraged by Wednesday's Uefa decision to give the Euro 2012 tournament to Poland and the Ukraine.
David Collins, Football Association of Wales secretary general, said: "It's raised the issue for us that there's the possibility of Wales and Scotland getting together to make a joint bid. Collins told BBC Wales: "At this moment in time we're floating the idea with Scotland."
Wales were initially involved in a proposed three-country bid (Wales, Scotland, Republic of Ireland) for the 2008 finals, which was abandoned in 2002 and replaced with a Scots-Irish bid which failed.
Bennett gets final
Steve Bennett will referee the first FA Cup final at the new Wembley Stadium. The Kent official has been selected to take charge of the showpiece event between Manchester United and Chelsea on May 19th, having previously been used as a linesman and a fourth official for the 1995 and 2001 finals respectively. Bennett refereed the 2005 League Cup final.
In brief . . .
Olof Mellberg wants to sign a new contract for Aston Villa after predicting a "positive future" for the club under Martin O'Neill . . . Everton Academy goalkeeper Lars Stubhaug has signed a two-year deal with the club having arrived in September from Norwegian outfit Vard-Haugesund . . . Giuseppe Rossi, on loan from Manchester United, scored the two goals as struggling Parma had a vital 2-0 win over European hopefuls Fiorentina on Wednesday night . . . Injured Wigan duo, goalkeeper Chris Kirkland and centre-back Fitz Hall will both miss the club's fight to beat relegation.
