A round-up of other soccer news in brief

Manchester derby falls to dangerous conditions

FREEZING temperatures and heavy snow have forced the postponement of this week’s English League Cup semi-final first leg matches.

The tie between Blackburn Rovers and Aston Villa, scheduled for last night, and tonight’s Manchester derby between City and United were called off because of dangerous travelling conditions across the north of England.

“The decision was taken in conjunction with the police match commander on the grounds of public safety,” said a statement on Rovers’ website.

“It is snowing heavily in Blackburn, as it has been all morning, and advice locally is not to travel unless it is absolutely necessary.”

United said on their website that the first leg at City’s Eastlands ground had been rearranged for January 19th with the second leg now scheduled for January 27th.

No new dates have yet been announced for the Rovers v Villa match.

Boycott gives Owen advice

FORMER England cricketer Geoff Boycott has urged Michael Owen to try the ancient Chinese art of feng shui in a bid to get his World Cup ambitions back on track, the Daily Express newspaper reported yesterday. The 30-year-old Manchester United striker has scored 40 goals in 89 appearances for England but has not played for his country since March 2008 due to injury and because he has been out of favour with international coach Fabio Capello.

Owen has also failed to win a regular first-team place since moving to Old Trafford in July. United fan Boycott says feng shui was a big help to him when he was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2002 and has told the soccer player to try it out. “I wrote to Michael Owen a while back to say, ‘look at this and see what you think’,” Boycott was quoted as saying.

“I have seen him play and he needs that little spark which maybe this can give him. He hasn’t replied to my letter yet but if he does I will put him in touch with some experts.”

Vieira may be heading to City

PATRICK Vieira looks increasingly likely to be heading out of the San Siro, and though a move to Lyon now looks unlikely, Manchester City have shown interest in signing the out-of- favour Inter Milan player.

Lyon are one of a handful of clubs linked with the midfielder who has made just 15 appearances in all competitions this season, with most of those coming from the bench. Vieira is growing frustrated, especially with the World Cup just around the corner.

Reports suggest the former Arsenal star is on the verge of sealing a return to the Premier League, especially with City now managed by his former boss at Inter, Roberto Mancini.

Inter boss Jose Mourinho said yesterday there was “very little” chance of the 33-year-old staying with the club, although it looked like he could be called upon at Chievo yesterday due to injuries and suspension.

Portsmouth miss another pay day

PORTSMOUTH failed to pay their players yesterday despite stating only the previous day they would do so. Portsmouth officials stated on Monday the wages for December – believed to be £1.8 million – would be paid yesterday but have told the Professional Footballers’ Association a delay had arisen.

PFA chief executive Gordon Taylor said the club were hopeful of paying the players today.

Taylor said: “We were expecting the players to be paid today but that has not happened. We have been told by the club they are hopeful of paying them tomorrow.”

The club told the PFA the latest delay was due to paperwork needing to be completed after a short-term loan was negotiated to cover the shortfall. It is the third time this season the club have missed a payment date.

United must wait for striker Hulk

MANCHESTER United may have to wait until the summer if they are going to sign Brazilian striker Hulk. The Old Trafford outfit are reportedly lining up a €22.2 million raid for the Porto forward, who has made a number of eye-catching performances in the Champions League this season.

The 23-year-old is hoping to secure a place in the Brazil squad for this summer’s World Cup in South Africa, and his agent Teodoro Fonseca is wary that a January move could disrupt his progress.

“Inclusion in Brazil’s World Cup squad is the most important thing,” said his agent. “If he gets in, it could act as the gateway to England for him and that is what we want.”

Hulk, who spent three years playing in Japan before moving to Porto, made his debut for Brazil in November last year when he came on as a substitute in the 1-0 win over England. United manager Alex Ferguson is rumoured to be interested in a striker to relieve Wayne Rooney of the goalscoring burden at Old Trafford.

Bruce charged over ref comments

SUNDERLAND manager Steve Bruce has been charged with improper conduct over comments made about referee Andre Marriner. Bruce spoke out after defender Michael Turner was sent off in his side’s 4-3 Premier League defeat at Manchester City on December 19th.

Turner was shown the red card after catching Garth Barry with his elbow, a decision Bruce described as a “joke”. Bruce claimed his previous criticisms of Marriner had counted against him. “Because I have complained about him, I get that decision,” said Bruce at the time.

“I hope he can have a look at it and he can see it was a shuddering challenge between two of the most honest professionals you are going to get.” Sunderland appealed against Turner’s three-match ban but their case was dismissed and the suspension increased to four games.

Napoli fans want Diego's earring

NAPOLI fans are planning to raise cash to make a bid to buy Diego Maradona’s earring, which was confiscated by Italian authorities in September as part payment for his tax arrears.

The piece of jewellery, taken while Maradona was in Italy at a weight-loss clinic, will be put up for auction next week with a starting price of around €4,000 expected.

“Let’s have a collection,” Napoli fans have written on a supporter website.