Football: Redknapp stays at Anfield, says Houllier

GERARD HOULLIER has hit back at speculation surrounding Jamie Redknapp.

The England international midfielder has been linked with a number of clubs, but the Liverpool manager says Redknapp is an "integral" part of the future at Anfield.

"Recent press speculation suggesting that Jamie Redknapp could be leaving Liverpool is utter rubbish as we have absolutely no intention of selling him - at any price - to another club," Houllier said. "He remains a key element in the plans I have in place here and will continue to play an important role for us in the future development of the club."

Barrow were excluded from the Nationwide Conference at Saturday's annual general meeting of the league. The Cumbrian club went into liquidation earlier this year and the Conference has refused to recognise the new company set up to run the club. Welling United have been reprieved from relegation from the Conference, while Barrow may now have to settle for a place in the North Western Trains League.

South Africa and Morocco submitted bids to the African Football Confederation yesterday to stage the 2006 World Cup. All bids have to be with Fifa by the end of July. The decision on where the 2006 finals will be held will be taken by Fifa's executive committee in March next year.