A short look at soccer
Caldwell backs Strachan's tough stance on McGeady
CELTIC defender Gary Caldwell will welcome back Aiden McGeady to training this week - certain that his team-mate now knows who is boss following his highly-publicised bust-up with Gordon Strachan.
McGeady was left out of Celtic's last two games and fined two weeks' wages after a row with Strachan following the 1-1 draw with Hearts just over a fortnight ago.
In the Republic of Ireland player's absence, the champions beat Falkirk 3-0 and moved seven points clear of Rangers at the top of the Scottish Premier League following their 1-0 win at Ibrox on Saturday.
"It's his job to make big decisions," Caldwell said. "He made the call over Aiden and the club stood firm with him. He is the manager and his decision is final.
"In any walk of life, that's how it works - and that's how we work as footballers, as well.
"Aiden will come back and get in with the lads at training again. He will become part of that unit and there is no divide within the dressingroom."
Droylsden ousted from FA Cup
GIANTKILLERS Droylsden have been expelled from the FA Cup for fielding an ineligible player.
The Blue Square North side had beaten Chesterfield 2-1 but defender Sean Newton, who scored both goals for the Manchester side, should have been serving a suspension for picking up five bookings.
An FA Cup protest sub-committee met today and ordered that Droylsden be removed from the competition and League Two side Chesterfield will now play Ipswich in the third round on Saturday.
WAYNE Rooney's agent Paul Stretford has lost an appeal against an 18-month ban and €310,000 fine imposed by the English Football Association for breaking regulations when he signed up the current England and Manchester United striker.
BOLTON goalkeeper Ali Al Habsi (26) has signed a new four-year contract that will keep him at the Reebok Stadium until 2013.
The Oman international had been linked with a move to Premier League rivals Tottenham.
Huntelaar seeks European berth
DUTCH striker Klaas Jan Huntelaar is determined to play for Real Madrid in this season's Champions League.
Uefa rules mean Madrid are likely to have to choose between their two big winter signings, Huntelaar from Ajax and Lassana Diarra from Portsmouth, with only one allowed to play in Europe. And Huntelaar said: "They can only register one player and I have to do everything possible so that player is me. I hope to be chosen. It's up to me."
Huntelaar confirmed he had not discussed the issue with the club, saying: "I've heard about it from the press."
Huntelaar, who moved to the Bernabeu for an initial €20 million, is still taking in his big-money move, which was announced at the start of December. "I'm on a cloud," he said. "Everything is great and the good thing is that on January 4 I can play."
Sunderland want Chopra back
NEW Sunderland manager Ricky Sbragia could be about to end Michael Chopra's dreams of helping Cardiff into the top flight.
Chopra's loan spell at Ninian Park ended officially yesterday, and he is due to join up with Sunderland's first-team squad for training tomorrow.
Sbragia says: "Michael Chopra's loan deal (with Cardiff) is up on the 29th, so he will come back and that gives us another body in the squad."
FA to go easy on Fuller and Redknapp
STOKE striker Ricardo Fuller will escape further punishment from the English FA after his clash with his captain Andy Griffin on Sunday.
Fuller was sent off for fighting with Griffin during the 2-1 defeat at West Ham. However, Fuller will just serve a statutory three-match ban for a red card issued for violent conduct as the FA do not plan to take further action.
TOTTENHAM manager Harry Redknapp is expected to escape an English FA charge despite his scathing comments about referee Steve Tanner after Spurs' 2-0 defeat at West Brom on Sunday,
FA disciplinary chiefs have studied Redknapp's remarks and although the case is viewed as being borderline, are expected to decide against any charge unless further comments come to light.
Jewell parts company with Derby
PAUL Jewell has resigned as manager of Derby, the club confirmed yesterday.
The former Wigan manager departure had been widely anticipated after his failure to attend a post-match press conference following Sunday's Sunday's 1-0 home defeat against Ipswich.
Yesterday morning, the club released a statement which read: "Derby County can confirm that the club has parted company with manager Paul Jewell with immediate effect.
"Paul has taken the decision to leave his role as he believes it is in the best interests of the club, and feels his is no longer in a position to take the club forward."
Jewell's assistant, Chris Hutchings, will take charge of the team for the FA Cup third round tie at Forest Green Rovers on Saturday and the League Cup semi-final against Manchester United on January 7th.
