Europe's elite hint of super league

Some of the leading lights in European football met in London yesterday with the formation of a European super league thought to have come up for discussion.

Representatives had accepted an invitation from the Premier League to a private meeting just yards from the Football Association's Lancaster Gate headquarters.

Officials from the Italian, German, Spanish, French, Belgian, Portuguese and Dutch Leagues were among those who accepted the Premier League chief executive Peter Leaver's invitation.

It is known the leading Leagues feel they have been isolated by what they perceive as the "dictatorial" procedures of Uefa, the European game's governing body, which have sidelined them from any real input.

Robbie Fowler has suffered a setback in his recovery from a knee injury after a knock on it in training, but Liverpool have been lifted by news that Jamie Redknapp's comeback from a broken ankle is ahead of schedule.

Teddy Sheringham is hoping to play in Manchester United's Champions' League game next week. The striker, out of England's World Cup qualifying match with a rib injury, said yesterday he may even play in Saturday's game against West Ham.

Wolves' multi-millionaire owner, Sir Jack Hayward, has carried out his threat to take a more hands-on role at the club by taking over as chairman from his son, Jonathan.

Sir Jack appeared to criticise both his son and the manager Mark McGhee at the end of last season, when he referred to "a sloppily-run club" and the actions that went on between chairman and manager to persuade him to splash out yet more money.

Diego Maradona yesterday declared his intention to play for Boca Juniors in Sunday's Argentinian League match against Newell's Old Boys after having his temporary drugs ban lifted. The 36-year-old was cleared to play again when a judge decided to make sure that the urine sample which provided the positive test really came from Maradona.