Henry: Arsenal captain and striker Thierry Henry says he will decide his future before the World Cup kicks off on June 9. Henry, who has a contract with the Premier League club until the end of next season, has been repeatedly linked with a move to either with Barcelona or Real Madrid. "My main concern right now is to finish in the top four, because it's vital for the club and anything that is going to happen at the club next, and to concentrate on winning the Champions League," Henry said.
Allardyce: Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson believes Bolton Wanderers counterpart Sam Allardyce has the right credentials to be England's next coach. "I think he has got an absolutely outstanding chance, without question," Ferguson said. "He's got experience and you can't ignore the job he has done at Bolton. If you're looking at the criteria of success at a football club, it's all there."
Pogatetz: Middlesbrough's Austrian defender Emanuel Pogatetz will miss the rest of the season after breaking his nose and cheekbone in the 2-0 UEFA Cup defeat in Basel on Thursday. Pogatetz was involved in a sickening clash of heads with Basel's Mladen Petric midway through the second half and was taken straight to a local hospital.
Kirkland: Goalkeeper Chris Kirkland has been told he will have to leave Liverpool if he wants to play regular first team football. The 24-year-old, who is currently on loan at Premier League strugglers West Brom, is out for the rest of the season with a broken finger. He is due to return to Anfield next season. "It is difficult because he is a good keeper, but with Pepe Reina, Jerzy Dudek and Scott Carson here, playing will not be easy for him," manager Rafael Benitez said.
Fortune: Former South Africa international Quinton Fortune is to be released by Manchester United at the end of the season, manager Alex Ferguson said yesterday. The 28-year-old defender cum midfielder has not played in the first team this season because of a knee injury. He will not have his contract renewed when it expires.
Wembley: The new Wembley stadium will not be ready to host any soccer matches this year, the English FA. Australian constructor Multiplex had originally planned to complete the 90,000-seater stadium on January 31, comfortably in time for the FA Cup final in May, but has been hit by a series of embarrassing setbacks.
In England: The Championship - Crystal Palace vs Watford 3-1. League One - Hartlepool vs Oldham 1-1; Tranmere vs Port Vale 3-0.