Football: Sherwood is tempted by Blackburn contract

Tim Sherwood is being offered a new five-year contract to stay with Blackburn Rovers. The midfield player had talks with Rovers' chairman, Robert Coar, yesterday in an attempt to settle his future after weeks of rumour that he would join Arsenal.

Rovers will throw in a testimonial that could make the contract extension worth almost pounds 3m. Ray Harford, the Rovers manager, is keen to have Sherwood tied down because he faces mounting problems and needs his captain to stay. Sherwood will be in the team for the trip to Aston Villa tomorrow.

Jason Wilcox, who missed Rovers' opening Premiership match against Tottenham, has undergone another knee operation to remove gristle from his knee. The winger only returned to action towards the end of last season after being out for close on a year following surgery on a cruciate ligament injury.

QPR's former England striker, Mark Hateley, has joined Leeds United on a month's loan to cover the absence of Tony Yeboah and Brian Deane. Yeboah is recovering from an exploratory knee operation and Deane is out for several weeks after suffering knee and groin injuries during Saturday's season opener at Derby. Hateley, 34, will make his debut for Leeds in tonight's home game against Sheffield Wednesday.

Carlton Palmer may be missing from the Leeds defence after picking up back and ankle injuries during Saturday's match against Derby County.

Manchester City might miss out on Elvis Brajkovic, the Croatian defender they want to replace Keith Curle. City hope to sign him from his German club Munich 1860, but the Spanish club, Celta Vigo, are interested in him and are, apparently, offering the player more money.

City's manager, Alan Ball, is alos interested in signing the Scottish striker Paul Dickov from Arsenal. He has had an offer of pounds 750,000 accepted and will have talks with the player.

Sunderland have signed goalkeeper Lionel Perez from Bordeaux for pounds 200,000. The transfer is subject to approval from the French Federation. He will act as cover for Tony Coton, who moved to Roker Park from Manchester United in summer.

Hans Segers, the Dutch goalkeeper who is due in court in January with Bruce Grobbelaar and John Fashanu to face charges of match-fixing, has joined Wolves on a non-contract basis. He was released by Wimbledon on a free transfer. He played for Wolves' reserves last night in their 3-0 victory over Leicester City at Molineux.

Glenn Hoddle, the England coach, has added Glenn Roeder and Roy McFarland to his scouting network. They both lost managerial posts last season. McFarland was sacked by Bolton and Roeder was dismissed by Watford. Hoddle's existing scouting team includes the new England Under-21 coach, Peter Taylor, the new England goalkeeping coach, Ray Clemence, Ted Buxton, Don Howe, Dave Sexton and Ken Brown.

Queen's Park Rangers have been fined pounds 25,000 by the Football Association because of their poor disciplinary record. The FA also fined Wimbledon pounds 10,000 for indiscipline.