LIVERPOOL: Real Zaragoza striker David Villa has denied Liverpool have made any contact with him even though a representative of the Anfield club watched him score twice against Sevilla at the weekend.
Liverpool will be without the services of French forward Djibril Cisse for several months after he suffered a broken leg in the 2-2 draw at Blackburn on Saturday.
Villa said: "I am happy because I have a contract until 2008 and until anyone says something to the contrary I will be at Zaragoza until that year."
The youngster broke into the first team last season, and scored the winning goal in the Spanish Cup final against Real Madrid.
FADIGA INJURY: Bolton's Khalilou Fadiga, who collapsed before last week's League Cup defeat by Spurs and has a history of cardiac problems, has undergone surgery to insert a device that regulates heartbeat and plans to return to the club to fight for his place in the team.
The 29-year-old underwent surgery to correct an abnormal heartbeat in May, and has made only one substitute appearance for Bolton since joining them in September. He plans to return to England at the end of this week having undergone his latest operation in Belgium on Friday.
EVERTON: Everton are hoping to agree a deal for the 23-year-old Norwegian defender Brede Hangeland by the end of this week, with a fee of around £2 million likely to bring the player from Viking Stavanger.
"I am going to Everton this week to meet with David Moyes and discuss things," Hangeland, who would not be able to complete the move until January's transfer window, said yesterday.
MUTU FUTURE: Romanian international Adrian Mutu, who faces an FA hearing tomorrow after being sacked by Chelsea following a positive test for cocaine, says he has no intention of quitting soccer.
"Mr Mutu intends to accept whatever is the outcome of the FA hearing and to work hard to return to the game, if banned, as a stronger player all-round, and at the highest possible level," said his lawyers Campbell Hooper.
NATIONAL LEAGUE: Waterford United will attempt to maintain their challenge for a place in Europe next season when they take on Derry at the Brandywell this evening. The visitors will be without player-manager Alan Reynolds who is out for the remainder of the season with a knee injury while Pat Purcell (ankle injury) is likely to be replaced by Ken Coleman.
Derry are again without the suspended Clive Delaney while Gareth McGlynn is likely to replace the injured Killian Brennan in midfield.
