Football news

Marseille president Vincent Lab­rune has handed coach Didier Deschamps a vote of confidence despite the south coast giants slipping to the foot of the Ligue 1 table for the first time in six years over the weekend.

OM have yet to win this season, claiming just three points from their opening six games. Sunday night’s 2-0 defeat at Lyon was the latest in a string of setbacks but Labrune was quick to stand behind the former France midfielder.

He said: “No, he is not threatened. He has the keys here for a long time. We have to bounce back and those who love OM must support him. Didier retains our confidence.”

De Boer concerned for keeper Tyton

Ajax coach Frank de Boer has wished PSV Eindhoven goal­keeper Tyton well after he was knocked unconscious in Sunday’s 2-2 draw between the two sides.

Tyton was knocked out for nearly 15 minutes after a collision with team-mate Timothy Derijck and is suffering from concussion as a result. De Boer was pleased that the away fans showed respect as Tyton was treated and sent him the club’s best wishes.

“Football is about winning but showing respect is also important,” he said. “Fortunately our captain Jan Vertonghen indicated that they should show respect for their own team and for Tyton and show their support. We wish him all the best from Ajax.”

Rovers close to Hoilett deal – Kean

Blackburn manager Steve Kean claims the club are “getting there” on a deal to tie Junior Hoilett to a new long-term contract.

On September 1 Kean said they were “24 hours” away from wrapping up a new deal for the youngster, whose current agree-ment expires at the end of the sea-son. However, since then progress has been slow but Kean is adamant it will be completed.

“We are getting there very slowly,” he said.

“I believe the term has been agreed and his base salary has been agreed.”

Canada-born Hoilett has been at Rovers since he was 14.

Santon undergoes knee treatment

Newcastle full-back Davide Santon underwent treatment in London yesterday to have fluid drained from his injured knee in an attempt to avoid surgery.

The 20-year-old, who had been in line to make his first-team debut for the club at Aston Villa on Saturday, damaged his right knee in training last week, but manager Alan Pardew is hopeful he could return to training within days.

“He will have his knee drained of a little bit of fluid that’s on it, and then we are hoping that he will train,” said Pardew.

Santon’s absence is a blow for Pardew, who signed him from Inter last month to replace Jose Enrique following the Spaniard’s move to Liverpool.

Redknapp calls for Modric talks

Harry Redknapp wants Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy to start talks with Luka Modric over a new contract after the Croatian scored a blistering opener in the 4-0 win over Liverpool on Sunday.

Modric was at the centre of one of the most protracted transfer sagas of the summer, with Spurs refusing to sell their playmaker to Chelsea despite the Blues offering £40m.

Redknapp is convinced Modric has moved on from the saga.

“Luka is fine now, he’s just getting on with it. I think the chairman will sit down with him and discuss his contract. That’s what I’d like to happen,” Redknapp said.

Neuer shrugs off ‘Judas’ jibes

Manuel Neuer shrugged off a steady stream of abuse, as well as being demonised as ‘Judas’ by fans of former club Schalke on Sunday, claiming he expected to face hostility on his return to Gelsenkirchen.

Neuer made a controversial switch to Bayern Munich in the summer and on Sunday, Schalke’s fans let him know that the resentment still burns deep.

But Neuer had the last laugh, with Bayern securing a 2-0 win.

“I knew what to expect, these are emotional fans,” said the 25-year-old goalkeeper.

“It’s not nice to hear stuff like that, but it was just important for me that we won the game and I am glad it’s over.”

Cisse focused on Freiburg for now

Senegal striker Papiss Cisse has said he is focused on scoring goals for Freiburg, but refuses to rule out a transfer despite being given an improved contract by the club.

The 26-year-old has made no secret of his desire to move to a bigger team and said he has no idea whether he will leave Freiburg when the transfer window opens again in January.

“I don’t know about that,” he said.

“All I can say is that I will be with Freiburg until December.

“The time just before the end of the transfer period was very difficult for me, it was a long time with a lot of uncertainty. Now I know that I can concentrate on the Bundesliga and Freiburg.”