FOOTBALL: Lure for Merson

Paul Merson, the troubled Arsenal and England forward, may make his comeback against Milan next year, writes Rupert Metcalf. In two weeks' time he is due to leave a clinic on the south coast, where he has been receiving voluntary treatment for coc aine addiction, and he could be playing in February.

"He is in very good hands and in great spirits," George Graham, the Arsenal manager, said. "He has been training on his own for some time. As European Cup-Winners' Cup holders, Arsenal meet the European champions, Milan, in the annual Super Cup challengeat Highbury on 1 February, with the return game a week later in Italy. Either fixture would provide an ideal comeback opportunity for Merson.

The former Liverpool midfielder, Mike Marsh, ended his stay at West Ham yesterday when he moved to Coventry City for £450,000. He was signed by the Upton Park club in September 1993.

Swindon sold their former Wycombe striker, Keith Scott, to Stoke for £300,000 and completed the signing of the Norwich defender, Ian Culverhouse, who has been on loan at the County Ground for the last three weeks. The fee will be decided by a tribunal.

Bristol City completed the signing of the Derby midfield player, Martin Kuhl, for £330,000. The 29-year-old former Portsmouth player cost the Rams £650,000 when he left Fratton Park in 1992.