Football news

Osvaldo Ardiles has expressed an interest in the Hereford manager’s job but it is unlikely he will be offered the post, according to the boss of the struggling League Two club.

The Argentine has enjoyed several spells in England but David Keyte does not see him as the man to replace Simon Davey, who was sacked on Monday.

“The search is moving pretty swiftly,” he said.

“I think we’re through the 20-25 mark now (in terms of applications). There were some interesting ones who we probably wouldn’t chase too much, the first one in was Ardiles. It might spark the crowd up but I don’t think he’s one for us overall.”

Mannone keen to make impression

Arsenal goalkeeper Vito Mannone admits he is frustrated not to be playing this season.

Mannone, behind the struggling Manuel Almunia and Lukasz Fabianski in the Arsenal ranks, has revealed he would be willing to go out on loan to get match time.

The 22-year-old said in Gazzetta dello Sport: “I don’t get regular playing time at Arsenal. I would consider a six-month loan deal just to play.”

Mannone insists his priority would be to break into Arsene Wenger’s first team.

“I am happy in London,” he said.

“Last year I played nine games and with me, Arsenal never lost. I get annoyed when I don’t play, it’s not as if the other two do that well. But if I’ve signed a contract extension until 2014 it is because they must value me.”

Rinaudo facing three months out

Juventus defender Leandro Rinaudo will be out of action for the rest of 2010 due to a back problem.

Rinaudo underwent surgery for a herniated disc yesterday having complained of back pains prior to Juve’s 1-1 draw at Manchester City in the Europa League last week.

A statement from the club read: “The surgery was successful.

“The player will remain in hospital for 48 hours. The recovery period is estimated at three months.”

The 27-year-old has made one league appearance since joining Juventus on loan from Napoli this summer.

Huddlestone cleared by UEFA

Tom Huddlestone avoided punishment for his apparent elbow on an opponent in Tottenham’s Champions League thrashing of FC Twente.

Twente forward Marc Janko claimed Spurs midfielder Huddlestone deliberately “smashed his arm into my face” and left him with a nosebleed during last week’s Group A clash at White Hart Lane.

But, after viewing video footage of the incident, UEFA confirmed that Huddlestone had no case to answer.

The news will come as a huge relief to Spurs boss Harry Redknapp, who was praying he would not lose Huddlestone for the upcoming double header against Inter.

Sneijder close to new Inter deal

Wesley Sneijder expects to sign a new contract with Inter this month. The Holland international has been in talks with the Serie A outfit since June with regards to an extension.

The 26-year-old winger is set to prolong his stay by two years, until June 2015.

“This is my club,” Sneijder told Corriere dello Sport.

“I am very happy here and in 15 days’ time I will complete the deal for my renewal.”

According to local media reports, under the new deal, Sneijder will earn six million euros per annum.

Sneijder joined Inter from Real Madrid in the summer of 2009.

No rush over Upson deal – Gold

West Ham co-owner David Gold is not panicking about the prospect of losing Matthew Upson on a free transfer and would be happy to wait until the end of the season for the England defender to commit his future to the club.

Upson is unlikely to put pen to paper on his new deal until West Ham’s status looks more secure given that he will need to be playing top-flight football to make England’s Euro 2012 squad.

Losing Upson would be a big blow to the Londoners, who have built their defence around the centre-half since he arrived in January 2007.

“I don’t think there is any rush for Matthew to sign,” said Gold.

“He is now into the last year of his contract and doing it now or at the end of the season doesn’t really matter to either side.”

Carson ‘devastated’ by England snub

West Brom goalkeeper Scott Carson admits he is “devastated” to be left out of the England squad for next Tuesday’s Euro 2012 qualifier with Montenegro.

Carson looked to be getting his international career back on track by being named in the squad for last month’s double header with Bulgaria and Switzerland.

But he was forced to withdraw because of a family bereavement and now Robert Green has been preferred, along with Joe Hart, for the Wembley clash.

Carson said: “Getting the recall for the last qualifiers was a big boost. I was delighted to be back but I needed to leave after a couple of days (because of the bereavement).

“ So, I was really devastated to find myself out this time. Being forced to pull out last time was for personal reasons and things seem to have gone against me.”