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Warnock's clear-out sale puts old hands on the transfer list

Gordon Tynan
Saturday 23 December 2006 01:00 GMT
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The Sheffield United manager, Neil Warnock, has put eight players up for sale or loan ahead of next month's transfer window.

Paul Ifill, Steve Kabba, Geoff Horsfield, Chris Lucketti, Alan Wright, Neil Shipperley and David Unsworth are available for either a permanent move or loan while Li Tie, who has finally recovered from a ripped thigh muscle which has restricted him to one Carling Cup appearance since his arrival in the summer, is available for loan only.

Warnock said: "All these players are experienced campaigners and will no doubt be in demand."

One player from elsewhere in the Premiership who says he will be going nowhere is Manchester City's prospective England midfielder, Joey Barton. The 24-year-old, who signed a four-year contract five months ago, said he intends to stay and push the club up the table. "I am very happy here and have absolutely no desire or intention to leave,", he said. "I want to concentrate on playing for this club and am very positive about the future. I trust this is the end of the matter and we can get on with preparing for the Christmas period."

The City manager, Stuart Pearce, intends to strengthen his squad but remains unsure of his budget because of the possibility of a takeover at the club. "We are aware we are not scoring as many goals as we would like," he said. "We are busy looking everywhere. Sometimes you get better value for money abroad.

"I might have to juggle the pack a little bit depending on any news of a takeover. I am sure the chairman [John Wardle] will find some money from somewhere."

* Cardiff have avoided administration after the club brokered a deal to sell the controlling stake of the former chairman Sam Hammam for £27m. There were fears the Championship side could have been put into administration if a deal was not completed by midday yesterday. The new investors have not been identified, although the new chairman, Peter Ridsdale, and backers, want to take control. Funds should be available to the manager, Dave Jones, to strengthen the promotion-chasing side.

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