Football news

Australian A-League side Sydney FC have offered a contract to former Manchester United and England striker Teddy Sheringham.

Sheringham, who will be 41 next month, is out of favour with Premier League club West Ham and has been offered a one-season contract with the option of a second year, Sydney's Daily Telegraph reported.

The paper said Sheringham has spoken about the move with former Old Trafford team-mate Dwight Yorke, who guided Sydney to the inaugural A-League title last year before returning to England with Sunderland.

Sydney chief executive George Perry said the club had opened negotiations with the striker who started his professional career with Millwall in 1984.

Shevchenko adjusts to new game

Andriy Shevchenko has finally adjusted to English football at Chelsea.

Goals were in short supply for Shevchenko after his £30.8 million move from Milan, but he has enjoyed steady improvement of late and in an interview with Radio Italia yesterday, the 30-year-old said: "At the beginning it was difficult.

"I had to change the way I played, adapt to English football. I believe it's normal to have a period of adjustment.

"I arrived at Chelsea following a difficult season for me with injuries and a World Cup behind me, but I have now overcome that difficult time."

Metzelder in Inter's plans

Borussia Dortmund defender Christoph Metzelder could end up at Inter next summer after his club confirmed he will leave in summer.

The Bundesliga side had given Metzelder until the end of February to decide his future as the player's current contract expires in the summer, but announced yesterday that the 26-year-old has failed to agree a new deal.

"Christoph Metzelder was a first-class representative for Borussia Dortmund, on and off the pitch. We wish him all the best for the rest of his career," said president Hans-Joachim Watzke.

The news of the German international's departure fuelled speculation that he might join Inter as the Serie A leaders are looking to strengthen their defensive department.

Nolan commits future to Bolton

Kevin Nolan has committed his future to Bolton Wanderers by signing a new contract. The captain's new deal is a two-year extension to his current one and will keep him at the club until 2011.

The 24-year-old ended speculation he could leave Bolton to enhance his England prospects.

"Ever since I've been at Bolton I've never thought that I'd have to leave to get international recognition," Nolan said.

"Even though we are not a big city club, we have done fantastically well over the last four or five years. We are continuing to grow and getting better and better and I am glad that I will be a part of it."

Magnusson behind Curbishley

Alan Curbishley remains the right man to lead West Ham in the future, owner Eggert Magnusson said. The manager's position at Upton Park has been speculated upon in recent weeks after the Hammers have failed to win in the league since his first game in charge in December.

A heartbreaking 4-3 home defeat to Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday has left the club seemingly doomed for relegation. But Magnusson has offered Curbishley a vote of confidence.

"I want everyone to know that Alan Curbishley remains the man who we will build our future success on," Magnusson said.

"Nothing has changed regarding our long-term plans and he still has my full support - 100 per cent."

Nantes can avoid the drop - Barthez

Fabien Barthez thinks Nantes can avoid being relegated following their impressive weekend win over Sochaux. Les Canaris moved off the foot of the Ligue 1 table on Sunday after upsetting fifth-placed Sochaux.

Barthez knows Nantes' future is still in the club's own hands and that until they are mathematically relegated they will be giving their all.

"We know that when you play to stay in Ligue 1 or to win the title, March is decisive," Barthez said.

"It is not we have to play every match like a cup final, because mathematically everything remains possible. But we have to question ourselves 24 hours a day."

Barca dismiss Dida talk

Txiki Beguiristain, the Barcelona sporting director, poured cold water on suggestions that goalkeeper Dida is close to moving to Spain. The Brazilian's contract with Milan expires in June, but all negotiations to extend the agreement have stalled because of the player's financial requests.

The latest reports suggested that he might move to the Nou Camp.

"We are not interested in Dida and we are very unhappy about these rumours. There has never been any contact with him and he does not feature on our agenda," clarified Beguiristain.

Meanwhile, Milan goalkeeper Zeljko Kalac has agreed to extend his deal until 2009.

Montolivo sportsmanship

Cesare Prandelli, the Fiorentina coach, hailed Riccardo Montolivo's sportsmanship in the match with Torino. The Viola midfielder earned the applause of his opponents in the second half, when he asked referee Mauro Bergonzi to change his mind over a free-kick he had assigned to the Tuscan club, as he had not been fouled and had fallen all by himself.

"His behaviour was significant and had a special meaning, especially in these days," Prandelli said after the 5-1 win over Torino.

"The referee did well in asking the player and my man was honest in answering."