Mendy hints at Anfield move

Bolton Wanderers' on-loan France Under-21 international Bernard Mendy has claimed that Liverpool are interested in signing him.

The attacking full-back, who has been playing as a winger for the Trotters, had been due to return to Paris St-Germain in the summer but now says that Gérard Houllier, the Liverpool manager, has been in touch.

"There has been contact with Liverpool and obviously the pull of a big club like that would have to make me think," Mendy said. "But I don't know any more at the moment. I am just trying to do my best for Bolton."

Houllier is giving the Argentinian youngster Jonas Manuel Gutierrez a week's trial at Anfield. The 20-year-old Velez Sarsfield midfielder has been linked with a £2m summer move to Liverpool. He was at Anfield on Monday to watch the 2-1 Premiership win over Charlton Athletic.

The Newcastle United striker Michael Chopra has returned to St James' Park after a successful loan spell at Watford. The 19-year-old scored five goals in as many league appearances for the Hornets and was included in the starting line-up for the club's FA Cup semi-final defeat to Southampton.

Joey Gudjonsson will not return to Real Betis to see out his contract if his loan move to Aston Villa fails to become permanent in the summer. The 22-year-old has fallen out with the Betis coach, Victor Fernandez, and is keeping his fingers crossed that Villa's manager Graham Taylor will move to secure his services long term at the end of the season.

"Real Betis have hardly spoken to me since I've been at Villa," Gudjonsson said. "Fernandez won't play me at Real Betis so, if he is still at the club next season, then I won't go back."