Football: Speed asks to leave struggling Everton

Gary Speed has taken Everton by surprise by asking for a transfer in order to set up a move to Newcastle United.

Speed is so unhappy at the way Everton's fortunes have taken a downward turn that he has asked to leave. Newcastle are keen to sign him quickly.

The Welsh international captain's own form has not been a problem, but he feels the club could drag him down with them. Speed has had words with Kendall during the season and revealed some of his discontent when he said at the weekend: "The problem is that we don't train properly."

After 750 games for Everton, Neville Southall was told yesterday that he can leave on loan. Southall, 39 had already been told he can leave Everton on a free transfer whenever Kendall found a replacement.

Kendall gave a debut to his new Norwegian keeper, Thomas Myhre, at Leeds on Saturday, the pounds 800,000 signing from Viking Stavanger putting in an inspiring display.

Southall is keen to step into management and has been linked with the West Bromwich job. He tried unsuccessfully for the post before Ray Harford - now at Queen's Park Rangers - was appointed10 months ago.

Former Australia player Graham Arnold believes Terry Venables should not be reappointed as Socceroos coach when his contract expires next summer unless he can make a full commitment.

The Soccer Australia chairman, David Hill, has made little secret of his desire to retain Venables, who is being targeted by Nigeria as a prospective coach for the World Cup finals. But Arnold, who retired after the Aussies' play-off defeat by Iran last week, says Venables should be sacked if he continues to live in London.

"I've been in four World Cup campaigns and the preparation we had this time was definitely the worst," Arnold said. "We can't let it happen again."

Nottingham Forest hope to reach a settlement with Anderlecht by Christmas over the 1984 Uefa Cup bribery affair. Forest are seeking more than pounds 1m compensation after the Belgian club admitted paying a "loan" to the referee of the second leg of the 1984 semi-final, in which Anderlecht beat Forest.

In September, Anderlecht were banned from playing in the next European competition for which they qualify. The club has been put under pressure by Belgian authorities to end the dispute before the 2000 European Championships, to be staged in Belgium and the Netherlands.

The struggling German Third Division club, Union Berlin, have asked the Fulham owner, Mohammed Al Fayed, to take over the club.