Football news

Striker Reuben Noble-Lazarus re-wrote the history books this week when figuring for Barnsley in a Championship match against Ipswich, aged 15 years and 45 days.

Noble-Lazarus became the Football League's youngest player after coming off the bench during his side's 3-0 defeat at Ipswich to beat the record by 113 days.

He passed a mark set by Bradford Park Avenue's Albert Geldard in 1929 and equalled by Wrexham's Ken Roberts. Roberts was aged 15 years and 158 days when he made his debut in 1951.

Wearing a no.31 shirt, the teenager came on as a substitute in the 84th minute at Portman Road.

Ronaldo still unfit

Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo reckons he needs another three weeks before he has fully recovered from his ankle operation he had in the summer.

Ronaldo came through his first full 90 minutes in the 3-0 win over Aalborg in Denmark on Tuesday and although he did not get on the scoresheet himself, the Portuguese did provide the cross for Dimitar Berbatov's spectacular second goal.

"It will be another two or three weeks before I can give 100 per cent," he said.

"I feel very good. There is good improvement there and I am very happy to be back.

"But my ankle has still not fully recovered. I still feel it a little bit.

"But the medical staff say that is normal and I feel very confident about the future."

Inter deny Jose earns £9m annually

Claims that Inter coach Jose Mourinho is earning £9 million per season at the Italian champions were untrue, the club said in a statement yesterday.

Mourinho was on typically controversial form in a press conference this week during which he had a light-hearted argument with a journalist. During the interview, Mourinho claimed, "I don't get paid £7m, it's £9m and with sponsorship included it comes to £11m."

However, Inter were quick to downplay the coach's remarks.

"It was a simple exchange of jokes," Inter said. "None of the figures that were mentioned at the press conference relates to the contract with Mourinho... obviously it is a much smaller sum."

Ashley reduces asking price

Mike Ashley has lowered his asking price for Newcastle United from £450m to £300m. Having paid £133m for the club and paid off its loans, a price of £300m would still leave the club owner with a profit of £50m.

"Newcastle is a private company and Ashley has no shareholders to consult before accepting a bid," a BBC report said.

"In that sense, the value of Newcastle is whatever he can get on the market."

Ashley only took charge of Newcastle last year but decided to sell after vociferous fan protests following the resignation of manager Kevin Keegan.

No move for Pennant - Pompey

Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp is not considering a move for Liverpool's Jermaine Pennant in the January transfer window.

The former Birmingham winger has struggled to make an impact at Anfield since arriving in a £6.7 million deal in 2006 and this season he has been involved sparsely in league and cup action.

Portsmouth have been rumoured to be eyeing the 25-year-old. But Redknapp said: "I like Pennant. He's a good player but I can't say I have thought about signing him. In fact, I have not thought about anybody really, to be honest.

"The transfer window has just closed and the next one isn't open until January, other signings are not in my thoughts this early.

"As far as I'm concerned, I have got my squad here."

Scottish FA mulling Euro bid

The Scottish FA would be willing to step in and host the 2012 European Championship if Poland and Ukraine are stripped of the finals following UEFA's warning of government meddling in the Polish FA business.

It is the latest problem to hit Poland and Ukraine, who last week were told they must speed up their preparations for the event and meet several conditions.

The SFA are monitoring the situation closely.

"Our position is straightforward," SFA chief executive Gordon Smith said.

"If, in the event of it being taken away from Poland and Ukraine, it was opened to bids, then we would seek to establish if a bid from us would be considered by UEFA."

Zarate wants Argentina shirt

Lazio hot-shot Mauro Zarate wants to keep the scoring rate going to attract the interest of the Argentina selectors and earn a national team call-up. Zarate has been the revelation in the first month of the Serie A season and leads the scoring charts with six goals in five games.

"I'm staying calm and I don't think about statistics," Zarate said.

"The important thing is that the team is doing well and since pre-season I have seen a squad that can go far. I have a great relationship with coach Delio Rossi because he asks me to help in defence but he allows me to attack as I like.

"On a personal level I think the call to the national side will come if I continue to do well."