A round-up of today's other stories in brief

Ireland job 'interesting'

Terry Venables has described the prospect of taking over as manager of the Republic of Ireland as "interesting". Venables has become favourite for the position, with one bookmaker last week suspending betting following a number of significant wagers placed on the former England coach. It is understood the 62-year-old, out of work since leaving Leeds by mutual consent in March 2003, has yet to hold talks with the Football Association of Ireland with regard to succeeding Brian Kerr.

Venables has also managed Spurs and Barcelona, although in the last four years his only time in football has been the ill-fated nine months with Leeds. Venables claims there have been a number of approaches for his services but managing Ireland may offer him the avenue he has been seeking.

"I have been offered quite a lot of positions," confirmed Venables, who apparently is waiting for the FAI to approach him, rather than the other way round. "But if something came up that was special, and something like Ireland, which is international, it might be interesting."

League not over, says Wenger

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger declared the Premiership title race had been thrown back open by Chelsea's defeat at Manchester United. Wenger was away on a scouting mission on the day Jose Mourinho's side lost 1-0 at Old Trafford, while the international break has since intervened.

However, Wenger, whose side face a difficult trip to Wigan this weekend, believes the result could have a significant effect on the title race. After all, while Chelsea still have a commanding lead, they have won just one of their past five games in all competitions and have dropped five out of nine points in the Premiership.

Wenger declared: "It's good for the Premier League, it makes it open again and more interesting. Of course, it's not done yet as Chelsea have still a fair distance on everyone else but it gives us some hope again."

Dudek's future to be decided

Liverpool goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek's future could be decided next week, according to the player's agent. Dudek has been out of favour in Rafael Benitez' side since the arrival of Spanish international Jose Reina to Anfield in the summer. Dudek's agent Jan de Zeeuw said: "Next week we will have a meeting with the coach and with the club executives to consider Dudek's future."

Benfica have reportedly shown an interest in acquiring Dudek and the player's agent has not ruled out a move to Portugal, where he would meet former team-mate and now Benfica coach Ronald Koeman. He said: "Benfica would in fact be an interesting option. Dudek already played with Ronald Koeman in Feyenoord."

Gera out for another six weeks

West Brom will be without Zoltan Gera for another six weeks after he underwent surgery yesterday on his groin injury. Hungarian captain Gera has missed Albion's last five matches and it was hoped rest and treatment would cure the problem. But Albion manager Bryan Robson said: "Zoltan has had this ongoing problem with his groin for a while now. We were hoping to avoid surgery but he isn't really progressing. We now feel this is the best course of action."

Ferguson backing for Fletcher

Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson has tipped Darren Fletcher to become an outstanding player as he continues his fightback from recent criticism. The 21-year-old Scottish international headed the goal that helped his side defeat champions Chelsea last time out to answer his critics in style.

Fletcher was one of the men reportedly mentioned by Roy Keane in his frank assessment of the United squad, but Ferguson is confident he will provide his critics with the right answers.

"The only area we have to wait on Darren is his physique," he said. "He's a tall, thin boy. He's gangly and I think he's still got to get muscle formation. Once he gets that strength, he'll be an outstanding player."

Southgate hopes to return

Middlesbrough captain Gareth Southgate has declared himself fit to play against Fulham in Sunday's Premiership clash at the Riverside. The 35-year-old central defender has not featured since damaging a groin in the 2-1 defeat at West Ham on October 23rd and he was expected to be out for about six weeks. "I was back in full training yesterday and was in for running last week when most of the lads were away (on international duty), so hopefully I will be considered for Sunday," he said.