Football news

Galatasaray striker Harry Kewell has been added to Australia's squad for their World Cup qualifier against Uzbekistan next month.

Kewell missed Australia's last qualifier against Japan because of injury but has been included in a 22-man squad for the April 1 clash with Uzbekistan in Sydney.

Everton midfielder Tim Cahill was also named in the expanded squad despite being injured in his last match with Everton.

However, Australia will be without experienced defender Craig Moore and midfielder Vince Grella after they were ruled out with injuries.

Australia currently lead their Asian qualifying group on 10 points, two ahead of Japan in second spot.

No Villa talks on O'Neill contract

Martin O'Neill and Aston Villa owner Randy Lerner are not engaged in talks over the team manager's new contract.

O'Neill, who is leading Villa to dizzy heights after less than three years in charge, has played down reports he is in talks with the club's American owner over a new deal. At present, O'Neill is half-way through a 12-month rolling contract.

He said: "I've not spoken to Randy in two-and-a-half years about a contract, nor have I had the need to do so.

"I don't know where the story came from. There's definitely nothing in it."

Leeds may ask for Tevez compensation

Leeds United chairman Ken Bates revealed his club are seeking legal advice following the settlement of the Carlos Tevez case between West Ham and Sheffield United.

Leeds are considering a compensation claim as they are contending that Sheffield United's relegation meant they missed out on add-ons from the transfers of Rob Hulse, Matthew Kilgallon and Ian Bennett to Bramall Lane.

"We are currently taking advice on it and won't be commenting further at this time," Bates said.

It is not known how much money Leeds missed out on, but insiders estimate it could be around £500,000.

Sampdoria deny Abramovich link

Serie A club Sampdoria said a report that Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich could be their next owner was mere speculation.

A report in Il Giornale on Tuesday claimed the Chelsea owner was in talks to buy Sampdoria.

However, the Genova-based club moved quickly to dismiss the speculation and insist current club president Riccardo Garrone has no plans to sell.

"With regards to the report that appeared in Il Giornale, Sampdoria states that the story is without foundation," the club said in a statement.

Rummenigge expects Bayern duo to stay

Bayern Munich chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said yesterday he was confident club captain Mark van Bommel and Argentina defender Martin Demichelis will re-sign for the German giants.

Rummenigge expects Demi-chelis will stay with the defending Bundesliga champions until 2012, while van Bommel, 31, is expected to sign a year's extension to his contract which expires this June.

"We have agreed in principle to extend their contracts," Rummenigge told Munich newspaper TZ.

Real want Beckham back - report

Reports in the UK media yesterday suggested that Real Madrid want England midfielder David Beckham to return to their fold next season after completing his time with Milan in the Serie A.

Beckham was at Real between 2003 and 2007 before he signed for Los Angeles Galaxy. However, it seems that the Madrid giants now regret having let Beckham go, particularly with the current form he's in at the moment.

According to reports in The Sun, Real are ready to offer around £10m to the Galaxy for the 33-year-old.

Milan have Beckham on loan until the end of the current Serie A season, but his long-term future is still unclear.

Redknapp urges push for Europe

Tottenham are still hovering at the lower end of the standings but manager Harry Redknapp believes his side is only two wins away from survival and reckons Spurs are strong enough to make a late push for a place in Europe next season.

Spurs climbed to 11th in the table with their weekend win at Aston Villa and moved six points clear of the bottom three. But they are five points off seventh place, which secures a berth in the Europa League.

Redknapp said: "How many points needed to survive? It's two wins for us. But I would love to finish seventh. We're playing so well in recent weeks and there's no reason we can't keep pushing up the table now."