Football news

Paul Ince told reporters yesterday that he intends to strengthen his squad at Blackburn Rovers with the addition of two other new signings before the transfer window closes.

Paul Robinson and Danny Simpson have already joined Rovers this summer as Ince has been linked with a bid for his former MK Dons captain Keith Andrews to build on a positive start to the season.

"It's a very busy time and I'm looking to bring in another two, maybe three, players," Ince told Sky Sports.

"It's not easy, there are so many players around that it's hard to get the right one. I don't want to just throw money away.

"When you're in the Premiership you do get linked to so many players, but at the end of the day we will see what happens this week."

Rosetti wants fitter refs

Top Italian referee Roberto Rosetti wants officials to train with Serie A clubs to improve their levels of fitness and foster better relationships with the players.

Italian referees came in for some harsh criticism last season and Rosetti, the referee for the Euro 2008 final in Austria, thinks that joint fitness sessions would help.

"If referees trained alongside the players at least once or twice a month, it would help athletically and tactically," Rosetti said.

"Physical preparation is fundamental for a referee. If I want to stay lucid enough to make important decisions after running nine miles in 90 minutes then I can't leave anything to chance.

"As referees we must show through tests that we can be in the right place at the right time up until the final whistle."

West Ham not selling Bellamy

Scott Duxbury, the West Ham chief executive, made it clear yesterday that his club will not be selling Craig Bellamy this week despite speculation linking the player with a move to Manchester City.

City were reported to be interested in Bellamy but Duxbury and manager Alan Curbishley said the Wales skipper will remain at Upton Park.

Duxbury said: "West Ham United have absolutely no intention of selling Craig Bellamy. He is under contract and is committed to the club. Craig remains a very important part of our plans for the future."

Eto'o not bitter towards Guardiola

Samuel Eto'o said he holds no grudge towards Pep Guardiola, the Barcelona coach who wanted the Cameroon striker out of the Nou Camp earlier this summer after replacing Frank Rijkaard.

Guardiola at first was prepared to allow Eto'o, along with Ronaldinho and Deco, to leave the club. However, Eto'o opted to stay and has been given a second chance by the new coach.

"Decisions are made that at the time might offend some people and benefit others, but they are done for the good of all," Eto'o said.

"I don't feel bitterness towards anyone and much less towards the club or the coach. I only want to help the team and win titles with Barca."

Castillo to leave City

Nery Castillo is expected to leave Manchester City and join Real Betis in Spain after an injury-plagued spell at the Premiership club. The 24-year-old Mexico forward has been on a year-long loan with City, due to run until January, from Shakhtar Donetsk.

"The Betis offer is very important for Nery because he will be an important player there," Juan Carlos Padilla, Castillo's agent, said.

Castillo paid a significant sum of his own money to join Man. City but his time has been badly interrupted by injury and Padilla said the player had come to the conclusion it was time to move on.

Inler - too early to join Arsenal

Gokhan Inler will not be leaving Udinese to join Arsenal this summer, his agent said.

Inler, a Switzerland international, was expected to move to Arsenal after leaving a good impression for Udinese.

Arsenal are in the market for a new central midfielder and Arsene Wenger did not rule out a move for Inler.

Dino Lamberti, the player's agent, said: "We have decided that Inler remains at Udinese. Any player would want to play for Arsenal, of course, but for Inler this may be perhaps a little early."

Robinho deal close - agent

Robinho is on his way to Chelsea after the Brazilian player's representative said the playmaker's Real Madrid career was about to end.

Chelsea have been trying to sign Robinho for much of the summer and had a bid rejected by Real earlier this month.

The Spanish champions were initially keen to keep the 24-year-old and Chelsea were not willing to match their lofty valuation.

However, Robinho recently admitted he was desperate to leave Spain and secure a move to the English Premier League with Chelsea.

Wagner Ribeiro, the agent, said: "The deal is about to be reached. Robinho's cycle in Spain has come to an end and he is looking forward to a new project."