BITS N BOBS

* Birmingham City have confirmed to the Stock Exchange that they have received a potential takeover approach, but stressed yesterday that talks "are at a very preliminary stage and the directors note that there is no certainty that a transaction will result". Reports over the weekend said that an unnamed Far East businessman was planning a £70m buyout.

* Detectives investigating Joey Barton's alleged training-ground confrontation with Ousmane Dabo have asked Manchester City's players to name who they believe was guilty. Officers from Greater Manchester Police have sent a questionnaire to every member of the first-team squad asking if they witnessed the altercation during a practice match at the club's training ground on May 1.

*Anelka, "I meet United fans and they ask me why I haven't signed for them. The truth is some of the big clubs won't come in for me. It's not because I am not effective on the pitch but because of my supposed character.

"People can call me what they like because it doesn't bother me. The most important thing is that I do my job on the pitch and have fun. That is why I am not going to get into a crazy game of trying to reply to the critics all the time. People who know me well in football know what I'm like. I've never had any problems with anyone."

* Sunderland are rumoured to be looking to sign Alan Smith. This leaves William Prunier as the only former team mate that Roy Keane hasn't been linked with.