Football: Two English clubs linked with Suker

Davor Suker could be on his way to England, according to media reports in Spain. The Croat international, who has established himself as one of the world's top strikers, has had a fine season with Real Madrid, but it seems that every player has his price.

Manchester United and Arsenal are said to be interested in buying Suker and his Real Madrid colleague, Predrag Mijatovic, a Montenegrin forward who plays for Yugoslavia. There has been no response from either English club to confirm or deny the reports, which add that Arsenal officials are expected in the Spanish capital to watch Real Madrid's Spanish Cup game with Real Valladolid tonight before meeting the two players tomorrow.

Asked yesterday about the alleged interest in his Balkan strikeforce, the Real Madrid coach Fabio Capello said: "Everybody wants players from Real, it's normal, and the English now are the clubs that have got most money of all." The Italian has already made a bid for the Monaco striker, Thierry Henry, and may be about to approach his former club, Milan, for the services of George Weah if he loses one or both of his current front line.

The Spanish transfer market closes for the season next Wednesday, so any deals are likely sooner rather than later. Barcelona have denied reports that terms have been agreed with Middlesbrough for the sale of their Spanish international defender, Miguel Angel Nadal.

The other First Division club in Barcelona, Espanyol, want their former player Adrian Heath as their next coach, according to more Spanish media reports. Heath, now manager of Burnley, said: "I have heard the rumours of unrest at Espanyol, but my managerial career is very much in its infancy and I am very happy with the job I have at Burnley."

Grimsby Town have confirmed that their caretaker manager, Kenny Swain, will remain in charge at Blundell Park for the rest of the season. Swain took over after Brian Laws was sacked in October.

Liverpool have denied that their England midfielder Jamie Redknapp may be off to Italy in a move to Roma. An Anfield spokesman, Ian Cotton, said: "There is no truth in the story that they have made a bid. Roma have expressed an interest in Jamie but we have told them he is not for sale."

Reading's Australian defender, Andy Bernal, has been saved from a five- match ban after the referee Richard Poulain admitted, after watching video evidence, that he was wrong to send him off against West Bromwich Albion on Boxing Day. Bernal's red card, which was his third of the season, for his clash with Albion's Paul Peschisolido has been changed to a yellow card.

Benito Carbone, Sheffield Wednesday's pounds 3m record signing, could be out of action for several weeks because of a groin injury. The Italian will definitely miss Saturday's home match against Everton, as he will have an exploratory operation today, but his absence could be several weeks depending on the extent of the injury.

Also seeing plenty of the surgeon's knife is the Everton midfielder John Ebbrell, who will have a sliver of bone removed from his ankle this week and will be out of action for up to six weeks.