Other soccer news in brief
Maldini's high praise for Beckham
• AC MILAN captain Paolo Maldini has praised the work ethic of loan signing David Beckham.
The England midfielder is in Dubai with the rest of the Milan squad after joining the team on a short-term deal from the Los Angeles Galaxy and took part in his first training session with his new team-mates yesterday.
Beckham has not played since the end of the MLS season in October, but Maldini is confident the former Manchester United star will be match fit again soon.
"Beckham is a great champion, but we shouldn't forget that he has come into a great team and a great club like Milan," said Maldini.
"We players don't care what his life is like off the pitch, we have found a lad who has not trained for two and a half months, but I have had the chance to talk to him and I noticed his determination and his great desire to put himself to work immediately to return to playing as soon as possible."
Beckham officially becomes a Milan player on January 7th and could make his debut four days later, against Roma.
"I believe he is an important player and that he will give his contribution to Milan," said coach Carlo Ancelotti.
Valencia in Real move
• ANTONIO VALENCIA'S agent claims he has not had any contact with Real Madrid but admits the Wigan winger would jump at the chance to secure a move to the Bernabeu.
Speculation has been rife that the Spanish champions are set to table a €17 million bid for Valencia, with reports they have already opened discussions.
Diego Herrera remained coy about his client's future but hinted could be off as early as next week.
Bolton recall defender Hunt
• Bolton have recalled defender Nicky Hunt from his loan spell at English Championship club Birmingham.
• Portsmouth have signed defender Nadir Belhadj on a permanent deal after a successful loan spell at Fratton Park.
• The 26-year-old Algeria international has signed a four-and-half-year contract after Pompey agreed a fee of €4.5million with French club Lens.
• MK Dons manager Roberto Di Matteo has signed a contract extension to keep him at the club until June 2011. After taking up his first post in July, Di Matteo has made an outstanding start to his managerial career, guiding the newly-promoted Dons to second place in League One.
• West Brom defender Neil Clement has been ruled out for the rest of the season as he continues to battle a long-term knee injury.
• Qatar is considering an ambitious bid to become the first Arab country to host the World Cup finals in either 2018 or 2022.
Liverpool game rescheduled
• PREMIER LEAGUE leaders Liverpool's home fixture with Manchester City on Saturday, February 21st has been move forward to Sunday, February 22nd.
Also on the move is the game between Tottenham and Middlebrough at White Hart Lane scheduled for March 3rd which will now be played the following night, Wedneday, March 4th.
The Saturday fixtures on February 28th between Sunderland and Tottenham at the Stadium of Light and the Aston Villa and Stoke game at Villa Park have also gone forward by a day and will now be played on Sunday, March 1st.
Sheffield United open to offers for Kenny
• SHEFFIELD UNITED have confirmed they have transfer-listed goalkeeper Paddy Kenny. The Republic of Ireland international's future had been the subject of widespread speculation in recent weeks after he was left out of the games against Wolves and Charlton for disciplinary reasons.
Sheffield United manager Kevin Blackwell confirmed Kenny had reported late for training and that the club would listen to offers for the 30-year-old.
Blackwell told the club's official website, www.sufc.co.uk: "Paddy and I had an amicable chat and we have agreed to this course of action. He has been here a long time and has been an important part of this club but if you turn up late for training there is a price to be paid.
"Maybe this will be a sharp reminder to him that he is part of this club and the rules that govern it. Nevertheless, Blackwell insisted he would be happy for Kenny to remain at Bramall Lane should the club not receive a suitable bid in the transfer window.
Fuller still has a role to play at Stoke
• STOKE STRIKER Ricardo Fuller has been told he has a future at the club. But chairman Peter Coates has left the Jamaican in no doubt as to how deeply hurt he is by his behaviour.
Fuller is facing internal disciplinary action on top of a three-match ban after being red-carded in the defeat by West Ham at Upton Park when he slapped his captain Andy Griffin.
Some fans believe Fuller should no longer wear the City shirt but in a lengthy interview on the club's website, Coates stressed the player still had a key role to play.
"It hasn't entered our heads to sell him, " Coates stressed. "Ric's a good player and you don't sell your good players.
Coates has questioned the judgment of referee Michael Jones in dismissing Fuller and said: "I'm not condoning it but can't referees use discretion? . . . Let's not get it out of proportion - it was hardly a punch like Muhammad Ali."
