Football: City to rejoin Phelan chase

TERRY PHELAN was last night considering his options as several clubs vied for the Republic of Ireland full-back's services. Crystal Palace's offer of pounds 2.5m was still on the table for Phelan but Chelsea, with a players plus cash offer, and, unexpectedly, Manchester City, are also in the running.

The Palace manager, Steve Coppell, talked to the Wimbledon defender yesterday but City are understood to have re-entered the chase after pulling out earlier this week. Chelsea's offer could see the former Dons' favourites, Dennis Wise and Vinnie Jones, returning to their old club.

The City player-manager, Peter Reid, who has sold two defenders, Neil Pointon and Steve Redmond, has Paul Lake out of action with another knee injury, and could be keen to strengthen his squad after Wednesday's 2-0 defeat at Middlesbrough.

The Scottish League yesterday moved towards calling a special general meeting to open the way for a new four-league set-up. First and Second Division clubs told the League's management committee in Glasgow yesterday they would back a new format with 10 clubs in each of four leagues.

This is in reply to the proposed breakaway of the top clubs to form a 'Super League'. The League secretary, Peter Donald, said: 'We want formal proposals put to the clubs to enable an extraordinary general meeting to be called. The Scottish League are responding to the pressures and demands of the clubs who want change.'

Players called up by England in future will have to provide a medical certificate to prove they are unfit if they cry off. If they have no certificate from their club doctor, they have to join up with the squad at whatever level - youth, Under-21, B team or senior.

Manchester United are to fly their goalkeeper, Peter Schmeichel, to Riga by private jet next week to enable him to play in Denmark's World Cup tie with Latvia. United face Southampton at The Dell in the next of BSkyB's Monday night live transmissions and the Danes play 48 hours later.

The Danish FA says that Schmeichel can turn out for United - only if they can get him to Riga in time for the qualifying game. United urgently need Schmeichel, with their reserve keeper, Gary Walsh, still recovering from illness and the third choice, Mark Wilkinson, having a broken wrist.

The Arsenal midfielder, John Jensen, is joining up with the Danish squad after the Gunners' game at Liverpool on Sunday if he is fit.

Tranmere Rovers yesterday signed the Scotland winger, Pat Nevin, for pounds 250,000 from Everton. Nevin spent a productive month on loan with Rovers last season.

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