Football: Chelsea give a chance to Chamberlain

CHELSEA turned to Luton Town's Alec Chamberlain yesterday in an attempt to solve their goalkeeping problems. The 28-year-old former Everton and Colchester player arrived at Stamford Bridge on a month's loan and will compete with Kevin Hitchcock for the No 1 shirt against Manchester City at Maine Road tomorrow.

Chelsea also made enquiries about John Burridge, Hibernian's 40-year-old goalkeeper, who has played for 11 English clubs in his long career. Ian Porterfield, the Chelsea manager, announced that Dave Beasant would be leaving the club after a poor display against Norwich last weekend.

Gary Mabbutt, Tottenham Hotspur's club captain, yesterday discussed his future with Doug Livermore, the club coach, after being left out of a 17-man squad for today's Premier League game against Manchester United, despite a series of injuries which has ruled out five Spurs players.

Mabbutt, who has been linked with Nottingham Forest, appears to have disagreed with Livermore about the extent of his recovery from knee, shoulder and wrist operations during the summer. The 31-year-old defender, who has been at Spurs for 10 years, said: 'It's been made clear that I have to go out and work hard and grab my place and I'm happy with that.'