Football news

Sunderland defender George McCartney has joined League One Leeds on loan.

The 29-year-old Northern Ireland international will spend the next month at Elland Road after struggling to command a first-team place at the Stadium of Light.

Left-back McCartney, who has 34 senior international caps, began his career on Wearside before moving to West Ham in August 2006.

He returned to Sunderland under Roy Keane in September 2008, but injuries have limited his participation in recent months with Kieran Richardson having made the move back from midfield to the left side of defence.

Agbonlahor a doubt for Wolves clash

Aston Villa striker Gabriel Agbonlahor is battling to be fit for Sunday’s derby clash with Wolves at Molineux.

Agbonlahor was substituted during the first half of Wednesday’s League Cup win over Blackburn because of problems with his calves.

But new Villa manager Gerard Houllier is hoping the problem is not overly serious. He said: “Will Agbonlahor be fit for Sunday? I don’t know.

“The most reassuring thing he said was that it is the two calves that he felt at the same time.

“If it is one calf, you might think it is a possible tear but it is the two calves so probably it involves cramp or fatigue.”

Bramble bailed over rape claim

Sunderland defender Titus Bramble and his brother were bailed on Wednesday night after being arrested on suspicion of rape, police said yesterday.

Bramble “strenuously denies any wrongdoing”, club chairman Niall Quinn said.

The 29-year-old former Ipswich, Newcastle and Wigan man was questioned at a police station after he and brother Tesfaye, 30, were arrested at a city centre hotel.

The brothers were detained after the alleged rape of a young woman was reported to police in the early hours of Wednesday. It is believed the alleged rape happened at the four-star Vermont Hotel, which has an entrance close to nightclubs on Newcastle’s quayside.

Defensive crisis for Man. City

Manchester City could have just three fit defenders for tomorrow’s crunch match with Chelsea.

After Wednesday’s 2-1 League Cup defeat at West Brom, Roberto Mancini revealed he is desperately short of defensive options for the visit of Carlo Ancelotti’s men.

Unless Micah Richards recovers from a hamstring injury that kept him out at The Hawthorns, Mancini will have only Pablo Zabaleta, Vincent Kompany and Kolo Toure available to face the only side left with a 100 per cent record.

“We have big problems,” he said.

“I hope that Micah can recover. If not I don’t know who can play left-back.”

Sneijder rules out Real return

Dutch playmaker Wesley Sneijder has reassured Inter fans that he has no intention of rejoining Jose Mourinho at Real Madrid.

Sneijder sparked concern among the Inter supporters when his agent announced there were difficulties in contract negotia­tions, adding that Mourinho was keen to work with him again.

“We’re talking about a contract extension because I want to stay here in Milan,” the Dutchman said.

“I hope that these agreements will be taken as soon as possible. I rule out a return to Real Madrid because I haven’t forgotten the events of long ago.”

Kahn eyes Bayern chairman’s role

Ex-Germany captain Oliver Kahn is studying as a possible successor to replace Karl-Heinz Rummenigge as chairman of the board at Bayern Munich.

The 41-year-old is eyeing up the post as boss of Bayern with Rummenigge set to step down as chairman when his contract expires on December 31 2011.

“I’ll be studying for the next two years,” the former goalkeeper Kahn told Sport Bild.

Meanwhile, Bayern coach Louis van Gaal is expected to sign a contract extension to keep him as coach of Munich until the end of the 2012 season.

Roma reject Lippi rumours

Roma have rejected reports linking them with an approach for coach Marcello Lippi in light of Claudio Ranieri’s recent comments suggesting he is waiting in the wings.

After Roma’s 2-1 defeat to Brescia on Wednesday, Ranieri said: “There is someone moving in the shadows, something is there.”

When asked if he was referring to Lippi, the Roma coach replied: “The papers have put forward the names and the surnames. It seems that they know something too… In Turin I knew that it was Lippi. Everyone knew. There was the famous dinner (with Blanc).”

Roma director of sport Daniele Prade has reassured Ranieri that nothing of the sort is happening at the club.

“I have an immediate response: There’s absolutely nothing to it. We have great confidence, respect and friendship towards Ranieri,” Prade said.