Football: Deane deal no nearer

(First Edition)

THE colours that Brian Deane will be wearing when the Premier League season starts on 14 August were still unclear yesterday, writes Rupert Metcalf.

Sheffield United have rejected an offer of about pounds 3m from Leeds United - who thought they had sealed the deal earlier this week - for their 25-year-old England striker. The Bramall Lane club have said they have rejected a higher offer from another Premier League club, and yesterday they claimed that two other clubs had made enquiries.

'We are under no pressure to sell Deane,' the Blades' acting chief executive, Derek Dooley, said. 'If a club does not come up with the money that we want, then he is staying.'

Colin Calderwood will be staying with Swindon Town. The Wiltshire club's 28-year-old captain has agreed a new contract rather than considering moves to either Tottenham Hotspur or Aberdeen.