Football news

Gary Neville's long-awaited return for Manchester United has been put on hold. The 32-year-old, who has been out with calf and ankle problems since March, was expected to play in yesterday's reserves clash against Liverpool.

But the Premier League champions felt the game has come too early for the England defender, even though Neville has suffered no setback in his recovery programme.

The United reserves are again in action on November 1, effectively ruling out Neville of a possible first-team return this month.

Speed to focus on playing career

Bolton midfielder Gary Speed has been relieved of his coaching duties at the Reebok Stadium by manager Sammy Lee.

Speed, 38, was appointed first-team coach by Lee in May when he took over from Sam Allardyce as manager.

But Bolton, who lie 19th in the Premier League, have had a poor start to the season and Lee said: "I want him to focus on his game at this moment.

"I don't want anything to distract him. I want everybody to be fully focused on their game."

Ballack won't change club

Michael Ballack has reiterated his desire to stay at Stamford Bridge despite the departure of Jose Mourinho who was replaced by Avram Grant.

Midfielder Ballack, 31, is currently sidelined with an ankle injury and has been linked with a move to Real Madrid.

"I feel very happy at Chelsea and would like to end my career here," Ballack told German TV.

"My contract ends in 2010 and I hope to play on for another two years."

Cagliari plan new stadium

Cagliari president Massimo Cellino has presented a plan to build a new 25,000-seater ground to replace the Sant'Elia stadium.

The current stadium holds 23,000 spectators, but was built in 1970 and has sometimes met with criticism for its slightly out-of-fashion facilities.

The new complex would be a big development that would cost around £20m, but would be entirely funded by the club.

"There's no reason to say no," Cellino insisted.

"It is a project that wouldn't contain shops or hotels. It would cost the council nothing and it would be entirely ours."

Brescia eye Del Piero swoop

Luigi Corioni has revealed that Brescia are ready to make a sensational offer for Juventus striker Alessandro Del Piero.

The Juventus captain is out of contract at the end of the season and may consider a move if his club fail to meet his demands, which are thought to be more than £3m per season.

If the move materialises, the 32-year-old could follow in the footsteps of his former Juve team-mate Roberto Baggio who joined Brescia in the latter stages of his career.

"I am ready to deal with Del Piero, just as I did with Baggio," Brescia president Corioni said. "For players like them I can go over our salary cap because it is definitely worth it."

City want Crouch, Lehmann

Manchester City are set to swoop for Peter Crouch and Jens Lehmann in January. City manager Sven-Goran Eriksson will be able to buy Liverpool striker Crouch for £8 million, according to reports.

Crouch, who played under Eriksson for England, has struggled to hold down a first team spot in the Liverpool side and would relish the chance of regular Premier League football.

Arsenal goalkeeper Lehmann is frustrated at losing the number one spot at Arsenal to Manuel Almunia.

The Germany international would cost around £1million and would provide competition for young goalkeepers Kasper Schmeichel and Joe Hart.

Milan with no big transfer plans

Adriano Galliani has announced that Milan will not make any signings in the January transfer window.

The European champions have endured a dismal start to the season having won only two of their seven Serie A games, while they are also struggling in Europe after losing 2-1 at Celtic last week.

"When the winter transfer market re-opens, we would have already made our first signing, Pato," Galliani told the club's website.

"He will be our only acquisition, no-one else will come."

Brazilian forward Pato signed a five-year contract back in August but he is not eligible to play for Milan until January 2008.

De Biasi takes over at Levante

Italian coach Giovanni De Biasi has agreed to take charge of the Primera Liga's bottom side Levante. De Biasi replaces Abel Resino who was sacked after the team's 3-0 defeat at Real Zaragoza on Sunday. Levante have just one point from seven games.

"I'm really motivated about this experience," De Biasi told a news conference at the club. "I've always been fascinated by Spanish football.

"I think there is a good squad that is capable of getting back on the right track. The players have the quality to get out of this situation but everyone has to do their bit and give 100 per cent."

Warnock handed C. Palace job

Crystal Palace have appointed former Sheffield United boss Neil Warnock as their new manager as a replacement for Peter Taylor, who was sacked on Monday.

Warnock, who had been out of work since resigning from Sheffield United at the end of last season, said: "This will be my last job. The chairman Simon Jordan and I are ambitious people who want to achieve a lot."