Ince talks down move

PAUL INCE'S two-day visit to London last week sparked the rumours - now come the denials. The former Manchester United midfielder said yesterday he had not spoken to any English clubs about coming home from Italy.

Since he left Old Trafford for Internazionale in a pounds 7m deal and then publicly fell out with his former manager, Alex Ferguson, there have been a number of stories suggesting that the 28-year-old has not settled at the San Siro. His name has been linked with a host of Premiership clubs ever since United indicated they would not take advantage of a first-refusal clause in the deal.

Consequently, Ince's two-trip to London increased speculation increased that he was looking for a way back. Speaking on Channel 4's Gazzetta Football Italia yesterday, Ince said: "I spent two days in London and, contrary to what the papers were saying, I was not talking to other clubs.

"All the different papers are insinuating different stories and I believe when you hear so many different stories they do not know what is going on. It's when they all have the same story that it's usually right. One paper says Newcastle, another says Chelsea, and Middlesbrough have also been mentioned - it's utter rubbish to say I went to England to talk terms with anyone.

"As far as I am concerned I am an Inter Milan player until something happens - I have not spoken to any other clubs."

Ince's unhappiness is believed to stem from his failure to break back into Terry Venables's England squad since he left Manchester, and it was also suggested that he was homesick. Ince explained: "I went home for two days because I have not been back since I came to Italy five months ago, and my wife Claire wanted to see her family.

"I spoke to Mr Venables after we played Sampdoria. It was not the best game - it was very boring to be honest - but I thought maybe I would get into the squad for the Switzerland game. He came over to see me and I thought I did OK in the second half, and one of the reasons I went to England on the Tuesday was because the squad was named that day.

"I was obviously very disappointed not to be in because even though things are not great here, they are OK and I still believe, in terms of midfield players, I am still one of the best."