Collymore tempted by chance to play in France

Montpellier are prepared, in principle, to gamble on Stan Collymore despite his problems, and the Aston Villa striker is in the south of France talking over a possible move to the struggling First Division club.

Montpellier are prepared, in principle, to gamble on Stan Collymore despite his problems, and the Aston Villa striker is in the south of France talking over a possible move to the struggling First Division club.

Collymore arrived there yesterday for a four-day trial and to discuss either a loan move until the end of the season or a permanent transfer.

Montpellier's president, Louis Nicollin, is familiar with the former England international's troubled past, but he believes the striker can help the bottom-placed club to safety.

A club spokeswoman said: "We would not have brought him here for four days if we thought there would be a problem with him. Stan is very nice and he has said to us that he would like the chance of trying to help Montpellier. He will train with us and we will see what happens over the next few days."

Villa's manager, John Gregory, has more or less been at odds with the 28-year-old since he took over at Villa Park nearly two years ago and is desperate to get rid of Collymore, who spent the first three months of the season on loan at Fulham. Gregory has made it clear that the man who cost £7m does not have a future at Villa.

Bradford City's chairman, Geoffrey Richmond, has confirmed the club will be staying at Valley Parade rather than ground sharing with rugby league's Bradford Bulls at Odsal.

Speculation had been rife in recent weeks over whether City would continue to redevelop their stadium, or move to a ground which is to be turned into a 30,000-seater state-of-the-art facility.

Richmond, however, said he has shelved plans to go to Odsal and now intends to proceed with proposals to raise the capacity at Valley Parade from 18,000 to 25,000.

Scott Wilson should be a Sheffield Wednesday player by the time they face Arsenal at Hillsborough on Monday. The 22-year-old Rangers central defender is due to meet Wednesday's manager, Danny Wilson, tomorrow to finalise his move south.

A £1.5m fee has been agreed between the two clubs but the tarnsfer has been delayed while Wednesday complete their Christmas programme against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge tonight.

A serious calf injury has forced Emil Kostadinov, the former Bulgarian World Cup striker, to retire at the age of 32, his German Second Division club, FSV Mainz, said yesterday.

Lazio's coach, Sven Goran Eriksson, would welcome Rivaldo, the European footballer, of the year, at the Rome club if he was to leave Barcelona. Lazio have been linked with Rivaldo since the Brazilian forward fell out with Barcelona's Dutch coach, Louis van Gaal, over tactics.