Football news

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers insists Andy Carroll is happy to stay at Anfield.

The England international has been linked with a move away from Merseyside after he struggled to make an impact since joining from Newcastle in January 2011. His former club have, however, already had an initial offer to bring Carroll back to Tyneside turned down.

Asked if there had been any offers for Carroll, Rodgers said: “Not that I am aware of.

“There has been a lot written about Andy, but he’s happy to be here and he’s worked very well in pre-season. The reality is he’s still a Liverpool player, he can fit into how I want to play.

“I’m certainly not wishing to push him out of the door.”

Wilshere, Diaby – new signings

Jack Wilshere will not return from injury until at least October, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has confirmed.

Wenger had been unwilling to set a comeback date for the England midfielder, who has already been out for a year with ankle and knee problems.

But yesterday he said: “Hopefully, we will get Wilshere back playing for October.

“With Abou Diaby returning, it will be like signing two new players. This season, the squad will be strong and competitive.”

Wilshere underwent a procedure on his knee in May, having missed the whole of last season with an ankle problem.

Long stays

West Brom manager Steve Clarke has insisted striker Shane Long is not for sale but admitted that Albion have rejected a bid for forward Simon Cox.

Long has been the subject of speculation linking him with a move back to Reading.

But Clarke said: “There has been nothing regarding Shaun. There have been no bids and he is not for sale. His future is with us 100 per cent.”

Cox has struggled to win a first team place at The Hawthorns in the face of competition from the likes of Long, Peter Odemwingie and Marc-Antoine Fortune.

Clarke said: “A club has put a bid in for him. It wasn’t accepted but Simon didn’t feel he was quite right to play.”

Ramis set for Hammers move

Real Mallorca have announced they have reached an agreement with West Ham for the transfer of defender Ivan Ramis to the Premier League newcomers.

The 27-year-old Ramis had been linked with a number of English clubs but West Ham look poised to make him their latest summer signing.

Mallorca did not mention any fee for Ramis but said they will “achieve the economic objective for which they have been working for over recent weeks.”

Lloris not joining Spurs says Aulas

Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas has insisted goalkeeper Hugo Lloris will not be moving to Tottenham unless the player asks to leave.

Spurs have been linked with the France captain but the club claim no offer has been made and the Ligue 1 side say they would not welcome one.

“Tottenham made contact through an agent but there has been no concrete offer since,” Aulas said.

“I don’t think they really want him, but we really want to keep him. He will stay at Lyon unless he absolutely wants to go.”

Wait frustrates Harry Kewell

Harry Kewell admits his search for a new English club is frustrating with the new season closing in fast. The 33-year-old forward has opted to return to the UK for family reasons after one season in his native Australia with A-League side Victory.

Kewell has been linked with Middlesbrough, Blackburn and Swindon, but no deal has been forthcoming and he said his reputation from his last stint at Liverpool hadn’t helped.

“That’s my biggest problem because no one, especially in England, has seen me for four years because I’ve been away,” Kewell said.

“And obviously when I left England I had a bad name because of all my injuries. It’s very difficult. I’m working and training but don’t know what I’m doing.”

Lyon win Trophy

French Cup holders Lyon kicked off the new season by beating title-holders Montpellier on penalties to win the Champions Trophy in New York late Saturday.

Lyon came from behind twice in 90 minutes and, with no extra-time, they won 4-2 in the shoot-out, with Jimmy Briand scoring the decisive spot-kick.

It was a missed opportunity for Montpellier, who led twice courtesy of a John Utaka strike and a penalty from Argentine Emanuel Herrera, only for Lyon to hit back each time through Bafetimbi Gomis and then Briand.

The curtain-raiser to the French season was played at the home of Thierry Henry’s New York Red Bulls in an attempt to promote French football on this side of the Atlantic.