Milan yearn for Shevchenko - AC MILAN president Silvio Berlusconi has reiterated his desire to take Andriy Shevchenko back to the San Siro this summer, describing him as the "ideal choice" to replace the injured Ronaldo.
Brazil striker Ronaldo is likely to be sidelined until at least November after undergoing surgery on ruptured knee ligaments in Paris last month.
And Berlusconi believes Chelsea's former Milan favourite Shevchenko can fill the void.
He said: "I think regularly about Shevchenko and I often speak to him.
"The fans would understand that this would be the ideal choice for us.
"I don't think that (Chelsea owner Roman) Abramovich will have a problem in letting him go."
Shevchenko became a hero at Milan and became their second-all-time leading goalscorer in a glorious seven-year spell that ended in the summer of 2006 when he joined the then Premier league champions, Chelsea, for €39 million.
He has, however, failed to shine at Stamford Bridge, although his record of 20 goals in 68 appearances for the London club is still a respectable tally.
Houllier wants French trio to stay
GERARD HOULLIER has urged the young French stars Samir Nasri, Karim Benzema and Hatem Ben Arfa to ignore the lure of the English Premier League for the time being.
Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson is a known admirer of Lyon's Benzema (20) and Ben Arfa (21), while the likes of Real Madrid have been linked with a move for Nasri (20).
But Gerard Houllier, the former Liverpool and Lyon boss who is now France's national technical director, believes the trio's needs would best be served if they stayed in their own country.
"For those three players, it would be an error to leave for abroad now," said the one-time France coach. "They must stay and get more confidence into their game, assert their qualities and achieve things.
"And leaving Ligue 1 shouldn't just be a question of money."
Dixon let go by Tottenham
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR have confirmed striker Terry Dixon (18) has been released by the club after a succession of major injury setbacks, reports Emmet Malone.
London-born Dixon, a Republic of Ireland youth international whom Steve Staunton included in a couple of his senior squads during his tenure, spent almost all of last season on the sidelines recovering from a dislocated knee cap and then, cruelly, suffered a recurrence of the same injury at the start of the current season.
He has since been involved in a second major programme of rehabilitation but the Premier League club, where he had been rated as a hugely exciting prospect, have seemingly lost faith in his ability to recover his former levels of fitness.
Meanwhile, Republic of Ireland captain Robbie Keane has voiced his intention to stay at Tottenham for the rest of his career.
In brief
Inter Milan are set to offer Luis Figo (35) a new contract to extend his stay at the club Blackburn are considering handing a contract to Swiss international free agent Johann Vogel (30) Manchester United goalkeeper Ben Foster (24) ended his long injury lay-off when he appeared for the reserves last night Wolves manager Mick McCarthy has held clear-the-air talks with captain and former Republic of Ireland international Gary Breen following the pair's heated words after Tuesday's 2-2 draw with Southampton.
