United and Blackburn deny Klinsmann move

Football

Both Blackburn Rovers and Manchester United went to great lengths yesterday to dismiss speculation that Jurgen Klinsmann was about to return to the Premiership. The former Tottenham forward is, it seems, to stay with Bayern Munich, the club he joined from Spurs last year, for at least another season.

After a week of rumours of Klinsmann sightings in east Lancashire, Blackburn have denied that they are about to spend any of the pounds 15m they received for Alan Shearer on the man who led Germany to success in the European Championship this summer.

"Following various reports in the newspapers and on the radio this morning linking Jurgen Klinsmann with Blackburn Rovers, the club can say that these rumours are unfounded," Robert Coar, Rovers' chairman, said yesterday.

Likewise, Manchester United have dismissed similar speculation about their transfer-market intentions. "I am perfectly happy with the strikers already on the payroll at Old Trafford," Alex Ferguson, their manager, said. "The fact that we tried to sign Alan Shearer is no reflection on the ability on the strikers at this club. It was a one-off situation. I would have been surprised to see Klinsmann playing in England again. My information is that if he had not moved by the end of April then he was contracted to remain with Bayern Munich."

United's midfielder, Roy Keane, is awaiting the results of a scan on a knee injury and is doubtful for Sunday's Charity Shield game with Newcastle. Alan Shearer may not have to wait until Sunday for his Newcastle debut - the Magpies have a friendly at Lincoln City tomorrow. "Alan needs a game for us and he will probably be involved at Lincoln," Kevin Keegan, Newcastle's manager, said.

Robbie Elliott, Newcastle's former England Under-21 left-back, is discussing a move to Blackburn. Nottingham Forest enquired about the 22-year-old last week, but were deterred by his pounds 3.5m price tag.

The Leeds United striker, Tony Yeboah, may miss the start of the season - the Ghanaian sees a specialist today after suffering a knee injury in Germany last week.

Manchester City will sign the Australian striker, Damian Mori, this week if they can agree terms with his club, Adelaide City. City have already agreed a fee of pounds 500,000 for Mori, who joined them on their tour of China, but Adelaide are unhappy with arrangements for the payment of the fee.

Leicester City are preparing a bid for the IFK Gothenburg and Sweden winger Jesper Blomqvist, who is available at about pounds 2m. Wolves are keen on Serge Romano, a right-back with the French club, Martigues, but have been turned down by Neville Southall. The Welsh international goalkeeper has decided to stay with Everton. The Chelsea defender Anthony Barness has returned to his former club, Charlton, for pounds 165,000.

Rangers in Europe,

Results, page 23

Risk management

Martin O'Neill is the favourite among Premiership managers to lose his job by the end of the season. The odds:

5-4 Martin O'Neill (Leicester City)

7-4 Howard Wilkinson (Leeds United)

2-1 David Pleat (Sheffield Wednesday), Jim Smith (Derby), Ray Harford (Blackburn)

5-2 Ron Atkinson (Coventry City), Peter Reid (Sunderland)

3-1 Joe Kinnear (Wimbledon), Graeme Souness (Southampton)

4-1 Harry Redknapp (West Ham), Alex Ferguson (Manchester United)

5-1 Bryan Robson (Middlesbrough), Frank Clark (Nottm Forest), Gerry Francis (Spurs)

6-1 Ruud Gullit (Chelsea)

7-1 Bruce Rioch (Arsenal), Joe Royle (Oldham Athletic)

8-1 Brian Little (Aston Villa)

14-1 Roy Evans (Liverpool)

20-1 Kevin Keegan (Newcastle United)

Odds supplied by William Hill