Football: Dicks and Wright are upset by Liverpool: Anfield defenders demand showdown with manager Evans after being left off pre-season tour

LIVERPOOL'S Julian Dicks and Mark Wright are demanding that their manager, Roy Evans, tells them where they stand after being dropped from the club's pre-season tour of Germany and Norway. The defenders were left at home after Liverpool fell to a 4-1 defeat in a friendly at Bolton on Tuesday.

Wright said he was 'hurt and upset'. Dicks said: 'I don't know what is happening. I just wish people would tell me the truth. I went to see the gaffer and he said I wasn't fit. But pre-season is about getting fit. If they don't like the way I play, then fair enough. But to say I'm not fit to play after just one pre-season game]

'If Roy Evans doesn't want me then I'd rather know. I've only been here for eight months, but I've been on my way about five times.'

Although upset at the situation, Dicks said he had no plans to ask for a transfer.

Ilie Dumitrescu, of Romania, arrives at White Hart Lane today amid speculation he could soon be joined by his World Cup colleague, Gheorghe Popescu. Tottenham are reported to have spoken to PSV Eindhoven's experienced sweeper.

Popescu, 26, played in all five of Romania's matches in the United States. Ossie Ardiles, Spurs' busy manager, refused to comment but he did knock down reports that Teddy Sheringham may require a fourth knee operation. 'Teddy has a twisted ankle, nothing serious,' he said.

The Russian sweeper, Oleg Kuznetsov, has moved to the Israeli champions, Maccabi Haifa, on a free transfer from Rangers.

Birmingham have agreed to sell their striker, Steve Claridge, after a transfer request over a pay dispute. City's Paul Peschisolido is to have talks with Stoke. Notts County also want the pounds 1m-rated Canadian.

Norwich City have signed the Sheffield United defender Carl Bradshaw for pounds 500,000, but Franz Carr will be staying at Bramall Lane after Sporting Lisbon pulled out of a pounds 200,000 deal.

Blackburn Rovers have denied reports that their pounds 2m England goalkeeper, Tim Flowers, will miss the start of the season. He had seven stitches in a gash on the elbow after getting tangled up in a practice net a week ago, but will fly out with the Rovers squad today on a tour of Scandinavia and Scotland.