Football: Alcock hints at suing Di Canio

PAUL ALCOCK has said he could take legal action against the Sheffield Wednesday forward, Paolo di Canio, for the push after being sent off in a Premiership match against Arsenal that earned the Italian an 11-match ban.

The referee has been undergoing physiotherapy to combat the injuries he sustained. "Since the incident I have had continuous pins and needles down my left leg," Alcock said. "I was unable to sleep without pain-killers and it has been hard for me and my family."

Liverpool are being linked with a move for Milan's German international goalkeeper, Jens Lehmann, who is available at around pounds 3m. Tottenham were yesterday reported to be talking to another German international, the Borussia Dortmund midfielder Steffen Freund.

Southampton have scrapped plans to sign two South American strikers, Peru's Waldir Perez and Colombia's Adolfo Valencia. The latter has been sent home after one training session at The Dell.

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. The Dutchman suffered cruciate ligament damage at Arsenal on Sunday and joins the Austrian defender Martin Hiden, who has the same injury, on the sidelines.

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.

The consortium led by Kenny Dalglish has withdrawn its plans to launch a takover bid for Celtic.

St Mirren have offered their managerial vacancy to the Alloa manager, Tom Hendrie, following the breakdown of talks with Mark Hateley, the former Hull City player-manager.