Five bid for Euro 2004Uefa have received five bids to host the European championships in 2012, European soccer's governing body announced in a statement yesterday.

They comprise joint bids from Croatia-Hungary and Poland-Ukraine and single bids from Greece, Italy and Turkey. Bids from Azerbaijan, Romania and Russia were submitted by the initial deadline in February but were not followed through by Thursday's final deadline.

The five candidatures will be reduced to a shortlist of three on November 7th and the decision on who will host the event will be taken by Uefa's Executive Committee in December 2006.

Saha not for farming out

Alex Ferguson has ruled out any chance of striker Louis Saha going out on loan. The 26-year-old has struggled since signing from Fulham for £12.8 million and has been linked with a move away from Old Trafford.

But Ferguson said: "There is no chance of Louis Saha going. All these clubs are asking about a loan but that is absolutely ridiculous. They must think we're stupid."

Saha has started just 16 league games since arriving at United in January 2004. He has suffered from injuries but also faces competition from Ruud van Nistelrooy, Wayne Rooney and Alan Smith.

Portsmouth go recruiting

Portsmouth yesterday signed former Liverpool goalkeeper Sander Westerveld and Norwegian striker Azar Karadas.

The 30-year-old Dutchman, who left Anfield four years ago, was a free agent after spending last season with Real Mallorca. Karadas moves to Fratton Park on a year-long loan from Benfica. Portsmouth have an option to make the 23-year-old's deal permanent at the end of the season.

No hurry for Woodward

Harry Redknapp has scoffed at suggestions Clive Woodward might aspire to succeed him as Southampton manager.

England's rugby World Cup-winning coach is to join the English Championship side as technical director and Redknapp has declared himself ready to work with Woodward in that capacity.

Woodward is thought to be keen to learn the ropes in football before taking on a more prominent position. But the former West Ham manager doubts whether 49-year-old Woodward could be a success in football management.

"I would think Clive would be a fool to want to take this job by Christmas when he doesn't know anything about it," said Redknapp. "He's not a silly man. He's not going to leave himself wide open like that.

"He is a confident man but he's also a clever man and he knows he doesn't know enough about football to be a football manager, so he's not going to get into that position."

Bolton still dealing

Bolton are in talks with Besiktas full back Juanfran with a view to him joining the club for the coming season. The club also revealed yesterday they are in discussions with Mexico striker Jared Borgetti with a view to him signing.

Juanfran has previously played for Celta Vigo and Valencia as well as representing Spain on 10 occasions. Borgetti (31) is expected to cost just short of £1 million from Pachuca.

Kyrgiakos back for more

Sotirios Kyrgiakos is back at Rangers hoping to thrash out a permanent move to Ibrox. The Greece international impressed during his six-month loan spell last season and manager Alex McLeish is keen to see him play a part in his defence again this term.

Meanwhile, McLeish believes pressure from television could force English soccer's power brokers to allow the Old Firm to play in the Premiership. McLeish says Rangers and Celtic should both be playing in England.

"Global television could dictate an immediate change of direction if they were to threaten to withdraw financial support," he said. "Rangers and Celtic are still a tremendous attraction to Europe's top players."

In brief . . .

Celtic have confirmed that 33-year-old former Southampton midfielder Paul Telfer has signed in time for him to make his debut in the Scottish club's second round qualifying game against Artmedia Petrzalka on Wednesday . . . Dunfermline have held talks with Ally McCoist about joining their coaching staff . . . Aston Villa defender Mark Delaney is to undergo a scan on an injured knee and has flown home early from the club's Scandinavian tour . . . PSV Eindhoven coach Guus Hiddink was named as Australia's new national coach yesterday.