Football news

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp admits on-loan striker Emmanuel Adebayor’s long-term future at Tottenham is still uncertain. It is believed Adebayor is keen to stay at Tottenham but Redknapp knows the Man. City striker’s weekly wage of £170,000 could prove a big stumbling block in negotiations.

“Ade has been excellent, but whether it’s possible to do a deal, I wouldn’t be sure,” Redknapp said.

“He is on loan at the moment and that’s where we’re at. The chairman will deal with (any negotiations) at the end of this season.”

Wilshere faces crucial few weeks

Arsene Wenger feels the next few weeks will determine whether Jack Wilshere can play again for Arsenal this season.

The 20-year-old has not featured at all for the Gunners because of an ankle injury which required surgery.

Wenger said: “We try to keep the hope alive for him and without taking too many risks.

“That means we adapt day to day, to manage him, to improve his physical state and get him fit as quickly as we can without taking too big a risk.”

On the prospect of Wilshere being involved for England in the summer, Wenger added: “To go to a big competition without having played at all is impossible. In the next four or five weeks we will know more.”

Paul Ince wants Wolves return

Paul Ince declared that he is ready to return to Wolves as manager and lead a last-ditch attempt to avoid relegation. Former Wanderers captain Ince would be willing to take charge immediately were the club to relieve interim manager Terry Connor.

Ince, who has managed Macclesfield, MK Dons, Blackburn and Notts County, said: “With all due respect to TC (Connor), I’ve got more managerial experience than him. I’ve saved teams from relegation, I’ve got teams promoted and I’ve managed in the Premier League.

“The job at the moment is about motivating players and the fans and I feel I can do that. I feel I should be at the club now.”

Guardiola modest

Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola has played down claims by Real Madrid counterpart Jose Mourinho that the Catalan club were “super-favourites” to beat Chelsea in the Champions League semi-finals.

Mourinho virtually wrote off the chances of meeting his former club in next month’s final in Munich. However, Guardiola will not be taking the rejuvenated Blues lightly.

He said: “I’m thankful for the confidence he has in us, but all four teams have a chance.

“Chelsea is a team of great experience... one of the best teams in Europe.”

Mutu on his way to Montreal

Cesena striker Adrian Mutu is on his way out of the Serie A to join Montreal Impact in the Major League Soccer.

Reports said the Romanian has a contract with Cesena in place for next season but their likely relegation to Serie B could prompt an early split.

Il Corriere di Romagna said Canadian outfit Montreal Impact have already made an attractive offer to take Mutu to the MLS.

He would be reunited with other ex-Serie A players like Ber-nardo Corradi and Matteo Fer-rari, who play for the Impact.

QPR continue to look at Mellis

QPR intend to extend former Chelsea midfielder Jacob Mellis’s trial at the club, according to manager Mark Hughes.

The 21-year-old parted company with the Blues last month after setting off a smoke grenade at their training ground.

Mellis spent last week training with Championship side Burnley and has now been given a chance to impress at Queen’s Park Rangers, where on Tuesday he scored in their 2-1 reserves defeat against West Ham United.

QPR boss Hughes said: “It is a little bit difficult to really get to see him because we are preparing for really important Premier League games, but we will try and keep him for a couple of weeks.

“We’ll see what he has to offer and take it from there.”

Mancini admits future not secure

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has admitted if they miss out on the Premier League title this season he may lose his job.

The 47-year-old Italian accepted that despite delivering the FA Cup last season failure to land the league may end his term less than three years after taking up the post.

Mancini said he hoped club chairman Khaldoon al-Mubarak would acknowledge the huge progress the club had made since he replaced Mark Hughes.

“I hope so because of what’s happened over the last two years,” said Mancini.

“But I know football very well and I left Inter after winning seven trophies. In football anything can happen. The same regarding my future.”