FOOTBALL: OLD PRO... BRIGHT YOUNG THING

STEVE GUPPY

WYCOMBE WANDERERS, 35

THE FORMER Leicester City, England and Celtic winger Steve returned to Wycombe Wanderers in November only to help out the caretaker manager Keith Ryan, an old friend from his first spell at the club, and planned to move to the United States in the new year.

But John Gorman, who took over from Ryan as permanent successor to Tony Adams at the League Two club, wants the veteran to put his American dream on hold at least.

"I've asked him to stay for the rest of this season and for the season after that," Gorman said. "He is pure quality."

Guppy, whose career was transformed by Martin O'Neill at Leicester City and who won an England cap at his peak, may yet change his mind. "I've enjoyed being back here and it would be great to help the club get back up again," he said.

AARON LENNON

LEEDS UNITED, 17

NOT CONTENT with securing a deal to sign Derby's 18-year-old midfielder Tom Huddlestone in the summer, talent-seeking Tottenham Hotspur reportedly tried to snap up the 17-year-old Leeds United winger Aaron Lennon on the last day of the transfer window.

However, a bid of around pounds 700,000 was rejected by the new Leeds chairman Ken Bates and Lennon, brought up in the Chapeltown area of the city and still on scholarship terms, remains at manager Kevin Blackwell's disposal.

Lennon has been given an extended run after scoring on his full debut in the Championship at Sunderland on Boxing Day and interest in him does not surprise Blackwell. "People realise our financial situation makes us vulnerable and there will be predators looking to pick off our best players," he said.