BITS AND BOBS

Last updated : 21 May 2006 By Ed

* The Sunday Mirror publish a story which was on out forum a few days ago. A copy and paste from our forum (posted by forumite Borsuk):

United to sign Kuszczak

It's all over the polish media that Tomasz Kuszczak will be moving from West Brom to United. Their previous stories about Polish players going to big clubs have been pretty reliable - I think the agents like leaking the details.

Seems like a cracking buy to me: Kuszczak's got a big future, he's young and could take over from Edwin in a couple of years.

Polish media are quoting 7m.


* The People:

Wayne Rooney is making perfect progress in his recovery from fractured metatarsals in his right foot.

But suggestions that the Manchester United star will be fit and available for England's opening game on June 10 are grossly optimistic and incorrect.

Rooney has X-rays every five or six days to confirm the damaged bones are knitting well. In fact, at the moment his injury is expected to have healed six weeks after he suffered it at Chelsea on April 29.

That would mean he should get the all-clear on June 10. But there is no chance of him making an immediate return to action against Paraguay.


* Ronaldo:

"I have already pictured myself holding the World Cup. People may laugh but that is my dream and it is something I will not hide.

"I don't think it is a bad thing to say this. We have a good team and a manager who has won the World Cup before. So why not?

"I have been going through a difficult phase of my life and playing football has helped me. Sometimes, the only time I have been happy is playing football.

"Obviously the death of my father influenced everything. Suddenly I admit I found myself doing unjust things. Sometimes I just felt like saying to people, 'Leave me alone for a bit. Don't force me to be a good little boy right now'.

"I knew the pain would pass and that the most important thing was for me to continue with my work."


* Chelsea could move Ruud van Nistelrooy after United expressed interest in Eidur Gudjohnsen (News of the World). Red Issue Sanctuarites will know this already. The People say that Newcastle want him as well.

* Leeds manager Kevin Blackwell:

"Last year I had the biggest wage bill in the Championship, I think £19m.

"Many managers have said, 'How we'd love Kevin's wage bill,' and I'm sure they would. However, I'd love to have Robbie Fowler, Danny Mills and the like because I'm paying them all. My actual wage bill was in the region of £3m. The rest went on players no longer here."


* The Times:

Portugal midfielder Armando Petit, 29, took a break from World Cup training yesterday to claim that Manchester United are chasing his signature. ‘I am happy at Benfica but I know of the interest from Manchester United and others,' he said. ‘If a proposal appears that is good for me and Benfica, I have the possibility to leave.'


* Sky:

Cruzeiro have denied reports that talented prodigy Kerlon is on his way to United. Last week The Times claimed the exciting Brazilian, known for balancing the ball on his head whilst running towards goal, was close to sealing a £6 million switch to Old Trafford.

Cruzeiro president Alvimar Perrella has refuted the story by stressing that there have been no approaches for Kerlon or team-mate Edu Dracena, despite being quoted in The Times as confirming contact with a Premiership side.

"In fact, we were not looked for by Manchester, or any other English club, to deal with the sale of Kerlon or Edu Dracena," he told reporters in his homeland.


* Wenger lashes out at one of his 'cheats'

"It is clear there was no foul. I condemn and regret the attitude of Eboue.

"I have always risen up against cheating. Eboue cheated by simulating the foul. I detest simulation."


* There's something in The Sunday Mirror about Ronaldo shagging someone from Big Brother.


* The Sunday Mirror claim that Ashley Cole is waiting for a call about a swap involving Shaun Wright-Phillips.