Holland winger Ryan Babel has ruled out a loan move to Ajax.

Babel, 22, has failed to hold down a regular first-team place at Liverpool with the bulk of his Premier League appearances coming as a substitute.

Earlier this month, reports said Babel would be interested in re-joining Ajax in January to secure regular football ahead of the World Cup finals. However, Babel denied saying such comments.

"I did an interview in Holland and I don't know who in England got hold of it but it was the worst translation I have ever seen," he said.

"Yes, there is a lot of competition for places at Liverpool but that's the same at every top club."

Another setback for Woodgate

Tottenham Hotspur defender Jonathan Woodgate will have to prolong his stay on the sidelines after aggravating an injury.

Harry Redknapp, the Spurs manager, confirmed Woodgate has suffered a fresh injury setback during recovery from groin trouble which has prevented him from playing this season.

Redknapp was pinning his hopes on Woodgate to make a quick return with Michael Dawson and Ledley King out injured.

Redknapp said: "Woodgate's nowhere near playing again.

"He went to see a specialist again and he just can't train. We haven't got to the bottom of the injury at all, what's causing him discomfort."

Zenga's job safe says Palermo boss

Maurizio Zamparini, the Palermo supremo, told reporters that he does not intend to fire coach Walter Zenga despite a lacklustre start to the new season.

Palermo, beaten 1-0 by Parma last weekend, only managed four points from as many games so far.

"He will be our coach for a long time," Zamparini said.

"We didn't play at our best against Bari and perhaps Zenga shouldn't have rested Fabrizio Miccoli at the weekend, but we are playing Roma on Wednesday (today) so it is understandable.

"Our performance against Parma was poor and we are hoping for a significant improvement."

Garrido accuses United of hostility

Manchester City defender Javier Garrido has accused derby rivals Manchester United of creating a hostile climate between the two clubs.

Substitute Garrido was struck on the head by a coin as he headed down the tunnel at half-time of the derby at Old Trafford which United won 4-3.

"I know other derbies but this atmosphere was incredible with insults flying as soon as we arrived at the stadium," he said.

"I was hit by a coin on the head. I believe the target was Carlos Tevez, but I was standing next to him at the time.

City have not provoked any of this controversy and United have created a climate of hostility against us."

Lehmann dropped over 'charity' visit

Goalkeeper Jens Lehmann has been dropped by Stuttgart for at least one game after visiting the Munich Oktoberfest beer festival without permission, the Bundesliga club said.

Lehmann will miss today's German Cup second round match against fourth-division Luebeck and faces a grilling by coach Markus Babbel over the weekend visit which followed his team's 2-0 defeat by Cologne.

"On Thursday, I will speak to Jens about this affair. After that, we will see what happens next," Babbel said.

Lehmann said it had been a charity visit.

"The visit to the festival was part of a charity event which was planned a long time ago," he said.

"Naturally, I accept measures taken by the sporting management."

League to consider Briatore future

Flavio Briatore's future as joint owner of QPR is under threat after the Football League announced they are looking into the circumstances surrounding his life ban from Formula One.

The disciplinary action, imposed on the former Renault team principal for instructing a driver to deliberately crash, appears to put him in direct violation of the League's 'fit and proper person test'.

A Football League spokesman said: "The Football League chairman, Lord Mawhinney, has written to the FIA to request further details of its decision. Thereafter, the League will consider its position on the matter."

Briatore is co-owner of QPR along with F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone and steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal. He is also chairman of the club's holding company that owns the club and a director on the board.

Newcastle linked with Harewood move

Aston Villa striker Marlon Harewood could be on his way to Newcastle in a loan move after the Magpies lost Shola Ameobi to long-term injury.

Harewood is now back to fitness after a foot injury and is keen to be playing first-team football after finding himself well down the pecking order at Villa Park.

"I believe we are close to agreeing everything and hopefully the move can be finalised later this week," Harewood's agent Phil Sproson said.