Caborn to lead World Cup bid

Richard Caborn stepped down as Britain's sports minister and was named as the new ambassador for England's 2018 World Cup bid when British Prime Minister Gordon Brown named his new cabinet yesterday.

Caborn served as sports minister for six years, playing a key role in Britain's successful bid to host the 2012 Olympics and launching an European Union-wide reform of how sport should be run across the 27-nation bloc.

James Purnell, 37, has been named as the new minister for Culture, Media and Sports, while Tessa Jowell is responsible for the Olympics.

Coleman for Sociedad

Relegated Real Sociedad have lined up former Fulham boss Chris Coleman to be their coach for next season.

The appointment will not be confirmed until tomorrow at the earliest, when acting president Maria de la Pena and her board hope to have their positions ratified at a shareholders meeting.

De la Pena told a news conference Coleman's appointment on a three-year contract would bring "freshness and new ideas" in their bid to make a swift return to the Primera Liga.

Coleman was sacked as Fulham boss in April and was recommended to Sociedad by former coach and fellow Welshman John Toshack.

Gers' target stops training

Rangers target Julien Faubert has refused to train with his French club Bordeaux in a bid to force them to sell him to the Scottish Premier League side.

The BBC reported Faubert's agent Philippe Sol as saying: "His only intention is to leave and he wants Bordeaux to do a deal with Rangers.

"Bordeaux are refusing to do that at the moment so Julien has taken the decision not to train to make his feelings clear."

Kewell feared end of career

Australia midfielder Harry Kewell says he thought his playing days were over during his latest bout of injuries.

Kewell spent 11 months on the sidelines with foot and groin injuries after the 2006 World Cup. He eventually recovered, making his comeback with Liverpool before being passed fit to join Australia to prepare for next month's Asian Cup.

"I'd be lying if I said I didn't think everything was going to be over but I had strong support behind me which pulled me through," Kewell said.

Kewell is likely to make his Australia comeback in tomorrow's friendly against Singapore before the team move to Bangkok for the start of the Asian Cup.

Fight is on for Maresca

Milan and Inter are again challenging each other in the transfer market as they both try to lure Enzo Maresca from Sevilla.

The two city rivals have reportedly made contact with the Spanish side in the hope of negotiating a deal for the 27-year-old.

Having started his career in Milan's youth side, Maresca made his full senior debut for West Brom before returning to Juventus in 2000. However, he failed to cement a regular place in the side and after three co-ownership deals was sold to Sevilla for just £1.7m.

Inter's offer is reportedly better than Milan's, with a figure of around £5.3m being suggested.

Ljungberg not interested in move

Freddie Ljungberg dismissed speculation linking him with a move away from London. The 30-year-old midfielder is said to have been interesting Manchester City, with West Ham and Portsmouth also keen.

But his agent Claes Elefalk said: "Freddie wants to stay at Arsenal until he stops playing and there is a good chance that'll happen. This is just speculation. Freddie is most certainly not leaving Arsenal."

Sweden international Ljungberg endured an injury-hit season last time around, making just 26 appearances for the Gunners.

Pagliuca wants Inter return

Veteran Gianluca Pagliuca has reiterated his desire to finish his career with former club Inter. The 40-year-old broke the Serie A appearance record for a goalkeeper at relegated Ascoli last season but is now looking to join a new top-flight club.

"I would certainly return to Inter," he told Tuttosport.

"I'm a 40-year-old and my years at Inter make up a very big part of my career."

Pagliuca played for Inter between 1994 and 1999 after signing from Sampdoria for £7m - at the time a world record fee.

Magpies hunting for Edmilson

Barcelona's Edmilson is a transfer target for Newcastle. According to reports, the Magpies are one of several clubs interested in signing the 30-year-old Brazilian.

Edmilson is a central defender and has just the kind of experience for which Newcastle are searching as they attempt to rebuild a solid rearguard.

Meanwhile, manager Sam Allardyce is still hoping to push through David Rozehnal's switch from Paris SG and has acknowledged his interest in Chelsea's Geremi.

Trezeguet says no to United, 'Pool

David Trezeguet claims he turned down a move to Manchester United to stay with Juventus. The French international striker had also been linked with Arsenal as Thierry Henry's replacement.

Trezeguet said: "My father (and agent) told me I had other propositions from ambitious clubs like Manchester United, Liverpool and Barcelona.

"But as soon as Juventus showed their desire to keep me I accepted immediately."

Trezeguet has been at Juventus since the summer of 2000, when he moved from Monaco for a fee of £18 million.