Football news

Iain Dowie has been sacked as manager by Coventry City. The Championship side are hovering four points above the drop zone and the decision comes on the back of a 1-0 loss to fellow strugglers Preston.

Dowie's assistant Tim Flowers and Bob Dowie, who was part of the backroom team, have also left the club.

Frankie Bunn and John Harbin have taken charge of the team ahead of the game against Cardiff today and the FA Cup tie against West Brom on Saturday. Coventry have lost five of their last six league games but reached the fifth round of the FA Cup also thanks to Michael Mifsud's goals.

Dowie, 43, has managed Oldham, C. Palace and Charlton before taking over at the Ricoh Arena last February as he succeeded Micky Adams.

Neville not quitting United

Gary Neville denied speculation his injury problems could force him to quit Manchester United and the game altogether. The England defender has not played first-team football since last March because of ankle ligament problems.

Neville, 32, said: "I understand that because I've been out so long there is talk about whether I'll make it back.

"But I'm training again and I'm focused on getting fit. Once I get fit, I've no doubts at all that I'll be OK."

Relegation battle looming - Duff

Damien Duff, the Newcastle winger, reckons the Magpies will face a relegation battle unless results start to improve. Newcastle have taken just two points from a possible 12 since Kevin Keegan took over as manager. They are just six points off the relegation places.

"We are in a fight," Duff said. "Relegation hasn't been mentioned in team-talks because we are trying to stay positive. But anyone who has got half a brain can see we need to pick up points."

Newcastle last won a Premier League game on December 15.

Torres to play against Barnsley

Injured striker Fernando Torres will be fit to face Barnsley in Saturday's FA Cup fifth-round match. Torres, 23, missed the goalless draw at Chelsea at the weekend because of a hamstring strain.

Manager Rafael Benitez said: "Maybe he can be available for the weekend against Barnsley. We have time.

"The physios are working with him really hard. He could be OK."

Should Torres return it would be a huge boost for Liverpool, who face Inter in the Champions League today week.

Chelsea want Van der Vaart

Chelsea look set to move in for the signature of Rafael van der Vaart, the Hamburg captain.

The Dutchman scored Hamburg's goal in last weekend's 1-1 draw with Bayer Leverkusen.

Chelsea scout Rainer Bonhof, a former Germany international, was in the crowd. He said: "I can't say which player I came to watch but when you have a look at the match, you could imagine who was the most interesting."

Chelsea were linked with a move for Van der Vaart last summer.

Ref Farina skips 'terzo tempo'

Stefano Farina could face sanctions after he skipped the 'terzo tempo' in Inter's 2-0 win over Catania on Sunday. The referee is facing criticism after he convalidated Esteban Cambiasso's opener even though TV replays showed the Inter player was in an offside position.

The Sicilian fans responded by ironically cheering referee Farina after every decision. At the end of the match Farina marched straight to the dressing room instead of taking part in the 'terzo tempo' (post-match) handshakes and may be punished for his actions.

Diego denies Juve link

Recent reports linking midfielder Diego with a move to Juventus have irritated Werder Bremen as the player denied quotes attributed to him.

Last week, quotes from Diego emerged in the Italian press admitting he would relish a move to Turin.

"The stories are made up and I wouldn't have said certain things due to my respect for this club," Diego said on the the club website.

Shearer not interested in Saints job

Alan Shearer will not become the next manager of Southampton. The former Saints favourite has been linked with a return to the south coast, to rejoin the club in a managerial capacity.

Shearer was also strongly linked with the Newcastle job last month. His availability was said to have alerted Southampton, but Shearer has been quick to distance himself from any such reports.

"I've got too many things on my plate at the moment," he said.

Cole to decide future in May

Andy Cole will decide whether to retire or not at the end of the season. The 36-year-old striker joined Burnley on loan from Sunderland in January and will stay at Turf Moor until May.

"I had never played at Burnley before and I didn't even know where it was," Cole said.

"But I really want to try and finish on a high. When I get to the end of the season I'll make my mind up whether I want to play on."