Today's other stories in brief
Rovers fail in bid to land Al-Habsi
BLACKBURN have failed with their bid to land Bolton goalkeeper Ali Al-Habsi.
Al-Habsi has less than a year left on his current contract and his agent Peter Harrison has confirmed that no talks are planned over a new deal.
Blackburn had hoped to prise the Oman international, but they are now looking at other targets.
A club statement said: "Rovers will not be pursuing an interest in Bolton goalkeeper Ali Al-Habsi."
Neville set for return in Super Cup
GARY NEVILLE and Owen Hargreaves will both be in Manchester United's Super Cup line-up in Monaco on Friday.
Alex Ferguson has pledged to take the encounter with Uefa Cup winners Zenit St Petersburg seriously after losing out to Lazio the last time United played in the game following their Champions League triumph in 1999.
However, Ferguson also recognises the clash offers a perfect opportunity to give some match practice to some key figures within his squad.
Neither Neville nor Hargreaves has played a competitive game for the Red Devils yet this season.
Meanwhile, Manchester United centre-back Rio Ferdinand has revealed plans to follow Alex Ferguson into management.
Ferdinand said: "As I get older management seems the direction that I'd like to see myself in."
Eto'o bears Guardiola no grudge
BARCELONA STRIKER Samuel Eto'o insists he feels no bitterness towards the club or coach Pep Guardiola after a summer of uncertainty over his future at Camp Nou.
Eto'o was one of three high-profile Barca players who were told earlier this summer they would be allowed to leave the club, the others being Ronaldinho and Deco.
Ronaldinho joined AC Milan and Deco moved to Chelsea, but Eto'o remained at Barcelona and, after impressing in pre-season, Guardiola opted to keep him at the Catalan side.
However, despite a lack of faith shown in him originally by the new coach, the Cameroon international insists he holds no grudges.
"Decisions are made that at the time might offend some people and benefit others but they are done for the good of all," said Eto'o. "I don't feel bitterness towards anyone and much less towards the club or the coach."
Everton complete first step of their recruitment drive
EVERTON HAVE completed the signing of Denmark right back Lars Jacobsen on a free transfer.
Jacobsen (28) underwent a medical on Monday and the free agent defender, who was with German club Nurnberg last season, has agreed a one-year deal. Everton confirmed yesterday Jacobsen has finalised his switch to Merseyside.
The Danish international, who has won 16 caps and was yesterday named in their squad for World Cup qualifiers against Portugal and Hungary next month, will be available for Saturday's Premier League clash with Portsmouth providing Everton receive his registration from the German FA.
Moyes will hope Jacobsen is the first of several signings this week, with the need to bring in new faces now urgent as next Monday's transfer deadline approaches.
The Everton manager accepted at the weekend that his squad needed quantity as well as quality, and suggested he required "six or seven" new players, some of which could be brought to the club on loan.
Bolton and Hull the big casualties
CELTIC were yesterday facing up to the prospect of being without two key strikers for the first Old Firm derby of the season.
The club have confirmed last season's top scorer Scott McDonald has suffered a groin tear, while Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink is rated 50-50 for Sunday's Parkhead encounter after needing stitches in a deep leg gash.
Celtic lacking options up front
CZECH striker Milan Baros (26) is to join Galatasaray after the Turkish club and Olympique Lyon agreed the move for an undisclosed fee, the French club said on their website.
Celtic lacking options up front
FORMER Brazil striker Rivaldo (36) has stunned AEK Athens by announcing that he is leaving the Greek club after just one season to join an unnamed Asian team.
ROMAN Pavlyuchenko has claimed that he is set to complete a move to Tottenham Hotspur. The 26-year-old Russia international striker has been linked with a move to Spurs all summer.
It was reported yesterday that the London outfit have sealed a deal with his club Spartak Moscow.
TWO goals from Adebayo Akinfenwa gave Northampton a memorable victory over Bolton in the English League Cup last night.
Akinfenwa opened the scoring for the League One side in the 21st minute from a penalty and extended their lead seven minutes later. Kevin Nolan scored a late consulation for Bolton.
Although Newcastle were brought to extra-time by Championship side Coventry, before winning 3-2, newly promoted Hull City were the only other Premier League casualties in last night's second round games.
Dean Windass scored for Hull in the first half before Gorka Pintado equalised for Championship side Swansea. Jordi Gomez scored the winner for the Welsh side from an extra-time penalty.
