A round-up of today's other soccer news in brief

If Jones goes, Sbragia goes

RICKY SBRAGIA has admitted he would walk out of Sunderland rather than sell his best players as Tottenham launched a €17 million pursuit of striker Kenwyne Jones.

The 52-year-old Scot arrived at work this morning to read reports that Spurs had turned their attention to the Trinidad and Tobago international, while Hull have tabled an offer for skipper Dean Whitehead.

However, Sbragia told both clubs to forget it and insisted he will not countenance any bids for his key men as he attempts to drag his side away from the Premier League drop zone.

Sbragia is adamant he is not for sale at any price. He said: “As far as I am concerned, there is no price because I need him – I need all the players I can get.

“If I go and sell my best players, I would be better walking, I would be better going out of the door, it’s as simple as that.”

O'Brien signs with Dundalk

FORMER Drogheda United skipper Declan O’Brien has joined Dundalk on a one-year contract. The striker signed yesterday and will be part of Sean Connor’s core group of full-time players.

Joe Miller was also officially introduced as Connor’s assistant yesterday. The former Celtic player will serve as first-team coach with the club which also announced a sponsorship deal with the town’s Crowne Plaze hotel.

St Patrick’s Athletic have confirmed former Canadian international Paul Peschisolido has agreed to be new manager Jeff Kenna’s second in command at Richmond Park.

The former Birmingham City striker, who is married to the club’s managing director Karren Brady, has signed a season-long deal.

“I believe the appointment of a number two is the decision of a manager and when I talked to Jeff . . . that’s who he wanted,” said chief executive Richard Sadlier last night.

Kinnear puts in €8m offer for Mbia

NEWCASTLE manager Joe Kinnear has confirmed the club have lodged a €8 million bid for Rennes midfielder Stephane Mbia.

The Magpies have also made an enquiry over 30-year-old West Ham defender Lucas Neill as they attempt to cover for the loss of Habib Beye to an ankle injury.

Kinnear is now awaiting news of the club’s offer for 22-year-old Cameroon international Mbia, and developments with Australian Neill.

He said: “We have put a bid in writing for Stephane Mbia and we are waiting to hear from his club.

“We have put a bid in of €8 million and we are waiting to see what the outcome of that is.”

Fifa set deadline for World Cup bids

FIFA have called on potential bidders for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups to formally express their interest by February 2nd.

In a circular letter sent to national associations, Fifa said they were officially launching the simultaneous bidding process for the two events which will be awarded to the successful candidates in December 2010.

The letter, also published on Fifa’s website (www.fifa.com), sets out the planned timeframe for the bidding process. England, Spain and Portugal, Netherlands and Belgium, Australia, China, Mexico and Russia have already expressed interests in staging one or other of the tournaments.

IFA block move for Worthington

THE Irish Football Association have turned down a request from Norwich to speak to Northern Ireland manager Nigel Worthington over the managerial vacancy at Carrow Road. The Canaries are looking to make a quick appointment after sacking Glenn Roeder yesterday. Worthington spent six years as manager at Carrow Road, from December 2000.

ARSENAL manager Arsene Wenger remains hopeful of landing Russian playmaker Andrei Arshavin before the January transfer window shuts.

The Gunners have already seen one offer of €11 million knocked back for the 27-year-old by Zenit St Petersburg, although they are understood to have returned with an improved deal.

However, that is unlikely to be anywhere close to double that figure, which the Russian club are holding out for.

Wenger hasn't closed the window yet on Arshavin Striker

Wenger, though, remains pragmatic: “We are not close to signing anybody, but there again, we are in negotiations, yes – but we want to respect our principles.

“I am very hopeful. There is time left in the transfer window because we have only crossed halfway.”