Maniche not joining Black Cats

Atletico Madrid have confirmed Maniche will be staying at the Vicente Calderon despite reports linking him with a move to England.

Sunderland boss Ricky Sbragia had been linked with making a move for the player, after reports had indicated that a disappointing season for Maniche, coupled with behind-the-scenes bust-ups and dissension, meant that the former Chelsea man wanted to leave Madrid.

However, Atletico club chairman Enrique Cerezo has confirmed today that the club are looking to retain the that Portuguese midfielder's services for the foreseeable future.

"Atletico want to have the best players and Maniche is one of them," Cerezo told Sky Sports News.

"What happened with Maniche happens within every team. Problems occur in every dressing room but at the end of the day they are forgotten.

"He is still under contract for a year-and-a-half and we count on him."

Voronin: No reason to fear England!

Andriy Voronin is confident Ukraine can match the big-name England players and is looking to attack rather than defend.

Voronin, currently on loan at Hertha Berlin, has warned England that they hold no fears for the Ukrainians, and said: "I consider England to be the strongest team in our group but we also have very good players.

"We need not be afraid of the names on the back of the English team jerseys.

"The biggest mistake would be to play defensive football. We won't have any chances even for a draw should we make that mistake.

"The English do not like opponents who use short passing against them and make them run around without getting possession of the ball."

Former Chelsea striker Andrei Shevchenko, now at AC Milan, will also be lining up against Fabio Capello's men, and said: "I will be happy if we get a point on Wednesday."

Huge offer turned down for Rossi

Villarreal rejected a £19 million bid for Giuseppe Rossi at the end of last season, according to his agent.

Federico Pastorello has stated that an unnamed club tried to lure the Italy international out of the Madrigal last season, but the Yellow Submarine's directors opted against selling their best scorer.

The agent understands that capturing the striker would cost a lot of money, and possibly close to £37m.

Manchester United still have first option to re-sign Rossi, who never broke into Sir Alex Ferguson's team.

"They [Villarreal] rejected €20 million last summer, and as his buy-out clause is set at €40m, his value is closer to €40m than to €20m," Pastorello told the Corriere dello Sport.

Ancelotti committed to Milan

Carlo Ancelotti has reiterated his desire to remain with AC Milan as they clinch a place in the Champions League.

The 49-year-old, who is under contract with the Rossoneri until June 2010, has also denied reports that he recently held talks with Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich about taking up the coaching reins at Stamford Bridge next season.

"My wish is to remain at Milan," he said in today's Gazzetta dello Sport.

"I have always maintained that, in order to go forward, two sides need to be in agreement and I am. That is, as long as we finish third to qualify for the Champions League.

"My aim, I repeat so that everyone understands, is to coach Milan next season."

Ancelotti has been linked with both Real Madrid and Chelsea but, when asked if he had had recent contact with Abramovich, Ancelotti replied: "No."

As to whether he had had dinner with Madrid presidential candidate Florentino Perez, he responded: "Let's be serious, let's not joke around."

Ancelotti is the longest serving manager in Serie A, having joined Milan in 2001.

"I haven't found a good reason to leave Milan," he said. "I feel well here and I want to stay for a long time."

Ancelotti also intends to keep his top stars, with Brazil playmaker Kaka a reported target of Real Madrid.

"With Kaka and (Alexandre) Pato, Milan can push on having great seasons," said Ancelotti. "Ricky (Kaka) will stay."

When asked who he regards as the strongest team in Europe, Ancelotti said: "Liverpool are the most difficult team to face.

"Rafa Benitez is a great (coach). Their defence is tight, they have a perfect counter-attack and to play against them is risky.

"Manchester (United) are strong but at least they allow you to play. Liverpool don't."

Ederson would consider France

Lyon's Brazilian playmaker Ederson would seriously entertain with the idea of playing for France.

The 23-year-old is a world champion for Brazil in the under-17 category but he has never appeared for the Selecao's senior team.

And having now played in France's Ligue 1 for four and a half years, during spells with Nice and then Lyon, he could soon claim French nationality and turn out for Les Bleus.

Ederson has not dismissed the idea out of hand.

"After spending five years in France, I have the right to ask for French nationality," he told L'Equipe.

"My supreme objective is to wear the Brazil shirt again but I could claim to play for Les Bleus.

"Up until this point, I haven't received an official request but anything is possible in football.

"If, one day, I was confronted by this question, I would have to weigh up the pros and cons."

Ederson moved to Nice from Brazilian side Juventude in 2004 and impressed in his last couple of years for the southerners, earning himself a move to the French champions last summer for 15 million euros.

After a slow start to his first season with Les Gones, the attacking midfielder has established himself as a first-team regular, scoring five goals in 26 games this campaign.

'Business as usual' at Arsenal

Ivan Gazidis maintains it is "business as usual" at Arsenal after Stan Kroenke paid out £42.5million to increase his stake.

Kroenke, 61, accepted the offer to become a non-executive director in September last year as ties with his Kroenke Sports Enterprises group were strengthened, after the Gunners had at first been less than receptive to the billionaire American - with chairman Peter Hill-Wood claiming "we do not need his sort".

The remainder of the Arsenal board who were subject to their internal 'lockdown agreement' gave consent to the transaction of 5,000 ordinary shares between Danny Fiszman and Kroenke, which was set at a price of £8,500 each and will be paid to Swiss-resident Fiszman rather than the club itself.

Nevertheless, it remains a significant move behind the scenes for the Gunners.

Kroenke's influence has increased significantly as he now owns just over 20% - perhaps to ward off any potential hostile takeover by Uzbekistan metals magnate Alisher Usmanov, whose Red & White Holdings group are currently the largest individual shareholders with 25%.

Any notion, however, this would have any direct influence on the running of the Emirates Stadium club have been dismissed by Arsenal's chief executive.

"It is business as usual", Gazidis declared. "On a day-to-day level, it has absolutely no impact at all.

"It is a transaction between two board members, both of whom believe in the self-sustaining philosophy of the club."

Gazidis added in an interview with Arsenal TV Online: "On the business side, we remain doing business just as we were yesterday and it is the same on the playing side.

"Arsene Wenger and the players remain focused on the end of this season - we are in three important competitions and making some progress."

Kroenke is already an established pedigree in terms of sports ownership, backing the St Louis Rams American Football franchise, as well as the Denver Nuggets basketball team, Colorado Avalanche ice hockey club and Major League Soccer outfit Colorado Rapids.

The Kroenke Sports Enterprise group owns the Pepsi Center in Denver and in 2004 also launched its own cable television sports channel.

However, Gazidis - who took up his new role with Arsenal in January after being deputy commissioner of the MLS - firmly believes the American billionaire will help the Gunners remain true to the club's own traditions.

"Stan really is a model owner," Gazidis said. "He takes the long-term view and believes in the model that Arsenal has been run on, of self-sustainability, and has developed a good relationship with other members of the board.

"This is somebody who shares the philosophies of the current board and who will be influential as we go forwards, and is going ensure we have continuity in the traditions of the club."

Gazidis added: "This is a club which has over 120 years of history.

"What has happened in terms of the adjustments of the shareholdings between current board members does not affect the direction we are headed in.

"We have some tremendous underpinnings at this club - a tremendous stadium that we play in, a very exciting and developing young squad which would be the envy of any team in the world, and a fantastic manager.

"The club continues to make progress and we are looking forward to the end-of-season run-in.

"We think it is going to be a very successful year for Arsenal."

Gazidis revealed the club would have "on-going dialogue" with Red & White Holdings, and also look to speak to Lady Nina Bracewell-Smith, who holds some 15.9% of shares but left the board in December.

Gazidis added: "I will be reaching out to her to initiate that dialogue and I am sure that will be productive going forwards.

"Certainly if she were to say she was a seller, then I am sure there would be interest among the current Arsenal board."

The Arsenal Supporters Trust, meanwhile, welcomed Kroenke's further investment.

"The fact that Stan Kroenke is already a member of the board at Arsenal should ensure that this change does not create any instability," a statement from AST read.

Cesc still believes in Gunners

Arsenal captain Cesc Febregas has refused to write off Arsenal bid for the Barclays Premier League title this season.

Many have counted the Gunners out in the current campaign, dismissing Arsenal's chances of ending a five-year title drought as Arsene Wenger's men are ten points adrift of league leaders Manchester United.

However, Fabregas has not thrown in the towel and has set overtaking Chelsea at third place as the first barrier to be crossed.

The Spaniard realises that a title coup would be an upset, but he strongly believes that a hundered percent effort to the Gunners' cause would make anything possible.

"I believe in miracles. It has happened before in football so why not this year?" asked Fabregas rhetorically. "But it is going to be difficult. Right now we have to think about catching Chelsea and then we will think about the others."

"But what we have to think about is winning the eight games we have remaining."

The Arsenal skipper is also looking forward to linking up with Andrey Arshavin upon his return from injury.

"You can see he (Arshavin) is a special player and when he plays everyone expects him to do something," added the 21-year-old. "We are very happy to have him.

"It is a shame he cannot play in the Champions League, but I am sure he can have a very big impact until the end of the season."

Arsenal target Everton's Lescott

Everton's England defender Joleon Lescott is reportedly a priority target for Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger this summer.

Wenger will be seeking to bolster his young squad especially in defence where they are short of experienced centre-backs like Lescott.

The 26-year-old defender has been a revelation since making the move to Merseyside from Wolverhampton Wanderers back in 2006.

News of the World reported that Wenger wants Lescott in at the Emirates stadium due to the uncertainty of Kolo Toure's future as a Gunner.

Toure has been rumoured to be a target for Manchester City while defensive partner William Gallas' future is also in doubt after turning on his teammates earlier in the season.

Lescott could be tempted into a move with Champions League football a likelihood for Arsenal next season.

Old Lady to Bale out Gareth

Juventus have turned their attention to Tottenham defender Gareth Bale as part of their plans to rebuild their defence.

The teenager is still considered a great prospect in Europe and Juve are interested in signing him to provide competition at the left-back spot for regulars Cristian Molinaro and Paolo De Ceglie.

However, the Bianconeri will have to battle Chelsea and Manchester United if they want to get their man, with the Premier League duo also interested in signing the Southampton product.

Spurs are rumoured to be seeking out Real Madrid's Gabriel Heinze as a possible replacement. The 30-year-old has already tasted success in the BPL, ruling the left flank for Man United between 2004 and 2007.

Bale has made 27 appearances in all competitions for the Lilywhites this season.

Wright-Phillips "is a top player"

Pablo Zabaleta claims that Man City team-mate Shaun Wright-Phillips is one of the best talents in the Premier League.

Zabaleta has usually taken on a defensive midfield role with the Sky Blues, filling in at right-back occasionally. There, the Argentine midfielder teams up with Wright-Phillips, and it is the winger's workrate that Zabaleta feels is what distinguishes his City team-mate from other players.

"I enjoy playing with Shaun so much because he makes life easier for the full-back," Zabaleta said in an interview. "He is very quick, works all the time and helps me on the pitch which is important. The winger must help the full back or there will be problems."

"He is a top player and has helped me settle in well. I like to get forward too, and when I do, I know he will be covering for me. Hopefully we have developed a bit of an understanding even if we have both played in different positions at times."

Zabaleta has filled in at numerous positions throughout the season, something he admits to enjoy, especially when the position poses a challenge on his abilities.

"I am used to being moved around the team in Spain and Argentina. I can play wherever I need to - midfield is no problem and it adds to the experience of my first season here. Right-back is my natural position but I have no problem in midfield even if it means a different workload. I enjoy it," added the Argentinean right-back. "It is the first season for me in England and that is always the hardest at any club abroad. I hope to be even better next year when the number of games, the intensity of the games and their frequency, the training, and the opposition - and language - will not be new to me."

And 'Zaba' concluded on a very positive note, assuring City fans that he intended to be playing at Eastlands for many years to come, adding, "I want to be at City for a long time, and if international recognition comes with that, then perfect."

Adebayor: What could have been

Emmanuel Adebayor maintains the BPL title race could have been close if all of their players had stayed fit.

The Gunners recovered from an inconsistent start to produce an unbeaten run of 16 league matches which moved them back into the top four.

However, they remain some 10 points behind leaders United, who have a game in hand, and six off third-placed Chelsea.

Arsenal set the pace for much of last season before fading over the run-in, but still finished only two wins shy of beating the Red Devils to the crown.

Adebayor, who netted an impressive 30-goal haul during the previous campaign, had been sidelined since the start of February with a hamstring problem, but returned to action for Togo at the weekend scoring in the 1-0 World Cup qualifier victory over Cameroon.

Captain Cesc Fabregas is expected to be in contention following his serious knee injury when domestic action resumes against Manchester City on Saturday.

And with England forward Theo Walcott - who had been missing since November because of a shoulder problem before picking up a knee problem ahead of the international break - also set to return, manager Arsene Wenger is close to having a complete squad to chose from again.

Adebayor is in no doubt of just what a fully-fit Gunners side could have achieved.

"Most of our players have been injured. We have missed Eduardo for several months, Tomas Rosicky for about a year, Theo Walcott for three or four months, Cesc Fabregas for almost six months and I have also been injured for two or three weeks," Adebayor said in an interview with www.fifa.com.

"If Manchester United had to do without Ronaldo, Rooney, Giggs, Berbatov and Nani, they would not have the same team as they have now - they would not be winning every game.

"When we get those players back, we will have a chance of winning something."

Adebayor added: "What we did last season was unbelievable, but this season, we could have done better. Everything has gone wrong.

"But we just have to focus on our jobs and try and finish fourth.

"We know what we have to do."

The Togo striker was linked with a big-money move away from the Emirates Stadium last summer, but eventually agreed a new deal with the Gunners.

"I am very happy. I never regret anything," the 25-year-old declared.

"I want to stay and it is my desire to win the Premier League with Arsenal."

Nearly all of the Gunners' first-team squad are away on international duty this week.

Both Kolo Toure and Emmanuel Eboue played for Ivory Coast in their World Cup qualifier against Malawi, which was overshadowed by the death of at least 22 people in a crush at the Houphouet-Boigny Arena.

While content to see Adebayor get some much-needed match practice, Wenger will be hoping his other strikers, Robin van Persie and Nicklas Bendtner, return to London without only major injuries.

Holland forward Van Persie, who is the Gunners' leading scorer, missed today's training session after picking up a groin problem against Scotland.

Denmark frontman Bendtner, meanwhile, is being assessed for a knock to his knee ahead of the midweek game with Albania.

Assistant coach Peter Bonde told Danish newspaper Sporten: "He is here with us right now. If he is ready then he is ready. We cannot be thinking about Arsenal.

"We treat players well, but we will play them if they are fit."

Arsenal winger Rosicky could, meanwhile, make his long-awaited comeback in a reserve match against Tottenham at Barnet's Underhill ground next week.

Elsewhere, the Football Association are understood to have set a deadline of close of business today for Hull to submit any formal observations following allegations Fabregas was seen to spit at their assistant manager Brian Horton after the stormy FA Cup quarter-final tie at the Emirates on March 17.

Pearce: Door not closed on Owen

Stuart Pearce has echoed Fabio Capello's sentiments by stating the international door is still open for Michael Owen.
The 89-cap and 40-goal England ace was not included in Capello's last squad despite making his Newcastle United comeback recently following a stint on the sidelines.

Despite a number of knocks to England's frontline ahead of Wednesday's World Cup qualifier against Ukraine, Owen remains overlooked raising question marks whether his international days are behind him.

However, Pearce believes Capello was right not to include Owen over due to recent match practice and says the former Real Madrid and Liverpool man will be recalled once he proves his form and fitness.

When asked if Pearce had an opinion on Owen's omission, he replied on Sky Sports News: "Yeah the same as Fabio's. He hadn't played enough football.

"The one thing Fabio doesn't do is shut the door for anyone. It's been mentioned maybe that certain individuals may be out of time and that the door has been shut, but that's not the case.

"I don't find that. They are not the words that Fabio uses and his actions are not like that either. Anyone that's on form, that's fit and playing for their club will get the opportunity.

"He's certainly shown that with the squad of Under 21s where he's been happy to call up the likes of Gabby (Agbonlahor), James (Milner), Theo (Walcott) and Aaron (Lennon) and Joe (Hart). All of these players have been given the opportunity because their form is good enough."

Frank Lampard believes when Owen is back to full fitness and scoring goals that Capello will hand the Newcastle United striker a chance to win back his place in the side.

"Everyone has an opinion on the England team. Michael Owen no doubt is one of the best strikers to play for England. He's got unbelievable ability.

"When it comes down to any individual Capello's shown that it's down to whether you're fit and ready to play in the England team which I think Michael's been injured for a long time.

"For me it's understandable that he would say himself that he's not ready. If you deserve to be in the England squad you'll be there. He'll pick the squad on its merits."

Rooney is England Player of the Year

Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney has been voted the England Player of the Year 2008 by the fans on TheFA.com.
Rooney played in eight of England's ten games during last year, scoring five goals - all in competitive matches.

Rooney becomes the first forward to win an award that has been running for six years - the trophy was previously awarded to four players, all of whom were midfielders.

Aston Villa midfielder Gareth Barry, the only outfield player to play in all ten matches last year maintaining a run of games that now stretches to 19 consecutive for his country, came second. Arsenal winger Theo Walcott was third on the list after thousands of England fans logged on to TheFA.com and registered their vote at the start of 2009.

Wayne Rooney said: "I am absolutely delighted to win this award especially as it has been voted for by the England fans. Having said that, it would not have been possible without the help and support of my England teammates, Fabio Capello and his coaching staff.

"Last year we had some great results and performances in our qualifying games and now we have some important matches coming up and must not get complacent, hopefully we can maintain the form of last year. Fabio Capello, the coaching staff and players are confident that we can maintain the performance level and results that will hopefully see us qualifying for next year's World Cup Finals in South Africa.

"The results on the road last year have put us in a good position and now we have some massive games coming up at Wembley. If the fans can show the same level of support and commitment they showed last year - and again on Saturday - it will be a big help to the players. To play at Wembley with the fans and country behind us is amazing and I can't stress enough how important their support and encouragement is.

"Finally, on a personal note I would like, once again, to thank all the fans that voted for me and helped make the winning of this award possible"

Eto'o on Rafa's shopping list

Samuel Eto'o has emerged as a target of Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez who is looking to expand his attacking options.
Reports on Tuesday suggest that Benitez is ready to make an £18million offer to Barcelona for the Cameroon international.

The former Valencia coach is eager to partner the 28-year-old with Fernando Torres in attack for the Merseyside giants.

A source close to the player told English newspaper The Sun: "Benitez likes Samuel a lot. Everything is possible for this summer.

"It will depend on Barcelona's results as well if they decide to buy David Villa.

"Eto'o is not a player to sit on the bench."

The former Mallorca hitman's contract with Barca comes to an end at the conclusion of next season.

With that fact in mind, La Blaugrana may well sell their prize asset in the summer, or risk losing him for nothing in 12 months time.

Spurs want Madrid's Heinze

Tottenham Hotspur are poised to bid for Real Madrid's Argentine defender Gabriel Heinze at the end of the season.

The 30-year-old defender played in England before for Manchester United but was sold to Madrid for seven million pounds in 2007.

Often deployed as a left-back, the Argentine can also operate as a central defender.

Heinze's contract with the Los Merengues expires in 2010 and English tabloid The People reported that Spurs are ready to put in a four million pound bid to take him back to England.

Dutch side PSV Eindhoven are also tracking the player's progress.

Heinze is said to be on a 60,000-pounds-a-week deal which falls nicely into Spurs' current wage structure.

Liverpool's Rafa Benitez attempted to sign the player in 2007 and might be keen to renew his interest if Daniel Agger leaves for AC Milan.

Barcelona want Hernanes

Primera Liga giants Barcelona are back in the hunt for Sao Paulo's talented Brazilian midfield general Hernanes.

Barca made a 11 million euros bid last summer for the player but was rejected by his club who claim he has a buy-out clause 25 million euros.

The Catalan club went on to sign Arsenal's Aliaksandr Hleb instead but the Belarusian midfielder has failed to shine this season.

According to Sport, club representative Pepe Costas who was due to fly back to Spain has delayed his trip in order to watch Hernanes in action in the Sao Paulo-Palmeiras derby.

Hernanes was part of Brazil's Olympic squad and is widely regarded as the best midfielder still plying his trade in Brazil.

Owen's England career in limbo

Manager Fabio Capello has hinted that Newcastle United striker Michael Owen's England career may be over.

England's fourth highest goalscorer has endured a miserable time with injuries of late.

The latest in a succession of problems with Newcastle has been ankle ligament trouble, which ruled him out for five games, before he was promptly dropped for the defeat by Arsenal at St James' Park last week.

Yet Owen is only 29, four years younger than David Beckham and still harbours strong ambitions to increase his 40-goal tally for the Three Lions and get closer to Sir Bobby Charlton's all-time record of 49.

Unfortunately for the former Liverpool star, Capello is only interested in what lies ahead rather than glories of the past.

He has given Owen just one cap during his reign so far, as a substitute in the friendly defeat to France in Paris 12 months ago.

And the Italian has offered no indication another will be forthcoming soon, providing a withering assessment as he explained why Owen did not even enter his thinking as a replacement for thigh injury victim Carlton Cole ahead of England's vital World Cup qualifier against the Ukraine.

"I have to choose players to play against the Ukraine, not against history," said Capello.

"I have chosen the best players who are in good form at the moment.

"It is impossible to choose someone who has only played for 20 minutes. Why didn't he play the last game?"

Capello did state if Owen were to "play three or four games he would be with us" but alongside the comment about the striker's past glories it seemed pretty insignificant.

And more importantly than either assessment, was confirmation, moments earlier, of how Capello envisages his team for the future.

"We play with three midfielders, two players like Wayne Rooney and Steven Gerrard and one forward," he declared.

As Rooney and Gerrard are such pivotal figures, operating in the gap between midfield and a centre forward capable of holding the ball up and bringing others into play, as opposed to one who plays on the shoulder of the last defender, it is difficult to see how Owen could possibly fit in.

It is stating the obvious to declare Rooney and Gerrard to be automatic choices and Capello only has to point at England's results over the past few months to provide more than adequate justification for his position.

"I want Rooney and Gerrard to be very free to move around when we have the ball," he said.

"That is the way I want them to play."

Rooney in particular has a special place in Capello's heart.

The Manchester United striker has now scored seven times in four games, so even if the leading man up front does not find the target that often - and Emile Heskey broke a six-year drought by getting the opener in yesterday's 4-0 romp over Slovakia - it is not that much of a problem.

"I am very happy when Rooney plays," said Capello.

"He is different to the other players and has always done well with the national team.

"I was sure he would score goals for us. I told him some things about the movement he needed to do in front of goal.

"But he is a very big talent. He can do everything."

Capello will be without Carlton Cole and Emile Heskey through injury against Ukraine, although the fact he moved so quickly to draft in Darren Bent suggests he is loathe to split the Rooney-Gerrard axis by playing his in-form striker further up the field.

Whatever Capello decides, it is fair to assume his players will buy into the idea such is the confidence England have in their Italian leader.

And Aaron Lennon is among those set to prosper as Capello revealed it was always his intention to preserve the Tottenham flyer's fitness by replacing him with record-breaking David Beckham at half-time.

"I decided before the game that Lennon would play until half-time and it was the same with Gerrard," he said.

"They are both in fantastic form so I didn't want to play them too much. I want them to be fresh for the next game.

"Lennon in particular I tried to protect. He is so quick and sometimes when they are playing against someone like that, the defenders will try to bring them down."

Robin admits Scotland were robbed

Holland's Robin van Persie admits Scotland were robbed of a "good" goal in Saturday's World Cup qualifier in Amsterdam.

George Burley's men were trailing by two goals when Gary Caldwell thought he had pulled a goal back - only to watch in disbelief as the effort was disallowed by French referee Laurent Duhamel.

Holland killed the game off a couple of minutes later and both Caldwell and Burley were furious at the controversial decision after the 3-0 defeat.

Van Persie told the Daily Record: "The goal Scotland scored was good - I didn't see anything unusual when I watched the replay on television."

And he also seemed to agree with Burley that goalkeeper Allan McGregor had been blocked on his line when he netted Holland's second on the stroke of half-time.

Van Persie added: "Klaas-Jan Huntelaar made a good block. There were still two players in front of me and one other there but I was able to make it."

Van Der Vaart denies Blues link

Real Madrid midfielder Rafael van der Vaart has denied reports suggesting that he wanted to English side Chelsea.

Reports in England last week attributed quotes to van der Vaart saying he would be interested in leaving Real Madrid to move to Stamford Bridge.

Van der Vaart's future at the Bernabeu has been the subject of speculation with him failing to hold down a regular place in the Real side this term.

The Dutchman has moved to clear up the confusion and insists he will make a decision on his future in the summer once the situation at Madrid is clear.

"I hear there are rumours about me wanting to go to Chelsea. But I have never said that," Van der Vaart told his official website fobazo.com.

"I have not yet decided on my future. I don't know anything about it.

"At Real Madrid a lot of things are gonna happen in the summer. A new president and maybe a new coach. So far I I'll just wait and see."

Crouch: Skrtel is not my friend!

England striker Peter Crouch has accused former Liverpool teammate Martin Skrtel of deliberately kicking him.

Crouch was forced off with a dead leg towards the end of the friendly win over Slovakia, having already seen Emile Heskey and Carlton Cole limp off in the first half at Wembley.

"I went up with Skrtel. I thought he was my mate to be honest, but obviously not," Crouch said. "I went up with him and he kicked out and gave me a dead leg."

Skrtel was being given a torrid time by Wayne Rooney, which may have contributed to the centre-back's frustration during the 4-0 defeat to Fabio Capello's men.

"It was a little bit (out of order)," Crouch added. "It's for other people to discuss if he didn't have the best of days."

Capello has drafted in Tottenham striker Darren Bent as cover, with Crouch desperate to be fit for Wednesday's World Cup qualifier against Ukraine.

The 28-year-old sees Capello's injury problems as a real opportunity to seize his chance to impress.

"I was gutted to come off, I just wanted to carry on running around but having both our other strikers come off the manager wanted to take me off," he said.

"If I rest up on ice when I get to the hotel, hopefully I can play some part on Wednesday.

"You don't wish injuries on anyone but when they do you have to take your chances.

"I've always felt that when I play I score goals. There is an opening now, a couple of injuries and I can prove myself.

"When I've played I've done well and hopefully, given the chances, I will continue to do well. I've scored goals for England and when called upon will score goals. Hopefully that will be the case."

Crouch would have been on the scoresheet against Slovakia if skipper John Terry had not tapped in when the ball was about to cross the line.

"I was looking to do that, come in and maybe score a goal if JT stayed out the way!" Crouch said.

"He apologised a few times. I would have done the same as well so I can't blame him."

If Crouch had scored there would have been no repeat of his famous robot celebration - a mark of the change in attitude under Capello.

"A few of the lads in the dressing room told me to do it but I don't think I can to be honest, it's a serious business now and I don't think it would go down too well with the manager," he said.

Cole and Heskey have now been ruled out of the Ukraine clash, with West Ham striker Cole reflecting on a missed opportunity.

He said: "I'm really disappointed, Emile scored and it was a great opportunity for me to come on and show what I can do.

"I felt really good after training all week so I am a bit disappointed that I couldn't come on and translate that onto the field."