Football: Spurs linked with Freund

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR were yesterday said to be talking to the German international midfielder Steffen Freund.

According to reports, Borussia Dortmund are ready to sell the player before his contract runs out at the end of the season. The Spurs manager, George Graham, has been impressed by the defensive midfielder, who was a member of the German squad during this year's World Cup finals, but struggled with injury.

Leeds United were dealt a second injury blow within three weeks yesterday with the news that their centre-back Robert Molenaar is out for the season.

Molenaar underwent a scan on Monday on the knee problem sustained during the 3-1 defeat at Arsenal on Sunday following a late tackle from behind by Nicolas Anelka.

The 29-year-old Dutchman, nicknamed `The Terminator', will be out for at least eight months with cruciate ligament damage, joining his fellow defender Martin Hiden on the sidelines with the same injury.

Bryan Richardson has been charged with misconduct for his alleged verbal attack on referee Steve Dunn. The Coventry City chairman confronted the official in his dressing room after the Premiership game against Wimbledon at Selhurst Park on 5 December, following Dunn's rejection of two penalty appeals as Wimbledon came from behind to win 2-1.

St Mirren have offered the Alloa manager, Tom Hendrie, the chance to take control at Love Street, following the departure of the previous manager, Tony Fitzpatrick, last week.

Hendrie has been interviewed but wants to consider the offer, as he would have to resign from his Edinburgh teaching job to become a full-time manager.

St Mirren turned to Hendrie after Mark Hateley, the former Hull City manager, was ruled out of contention because of his wage demands.

Hibernian yesterday completed the pounds 225,000 signing of the Raith Rovers winger, Paul Hartley.