Football: Bergkamp blow may give Wright Cup spot

DENNIS BERGKAMP could be out until the FA Cup final because of his hamstring trouble - but the Dutchman's loss looks like being Ian Wright's gain.

Bergkamp has already been having ice treatment on the injury. Arsenal's manager, Arsene Wenger, said that in a couple of days' time it should be easier to judge if the Dutchman, who picked up the problem by overstretching during Wednesday's victory over Derby, has a chance of being fit in time to face Newcastle at Wembley on 16 May.

Wright, out for four months out with a similar injury, is gearing up to make his return to action against Everton on Sunday, when Arsenal could clinch the Premiership title. If he played, it would boost his hopes of going to the World Cup finals with England.

Gianfranco Zola could miss Chelsea's European Cup-Winners' Cup final against Stuttgart in Stockholm on 13 May. The striker is in his native Italy hoping a trusted medical specialist can make him fit in time for the final, after he damaged a groin muscle during last Saturday's 4-1 win over Liverpool.

Mark Goldberg is placing 2.5 million shares in MSB International plc, the IT recruitment firm, with institutional investors to raise pounds 23.75m towards his acquisition of an 85 per cent interest in Crystal Palace. MSB said that as part of the arrangements for the Palace deal, loan notes would be issued and would be secured on MSB ordinary shares held by Goldberg.

Bryan Robson wants to bring Stuart Ripley home to Middlesbrough from Blackburn in a pounds 1.5m summer transfer. Ripley has dropped out of Blackburn's first team, having earlier been in the England squad.

Steve McManaman is to be left out of Liverpool's team for the first time this season when they play West Ham at Anfield, on Saturday, because of a niggling ankle problem.