Yorke puts Boro move in jeopardy

Dwight Yorke is in danger of pricing himself out of a move to Middlesbrough because of his wage demands plus a request for a golden handshake from Manchester United.

The out-of-favour Old Trafford striker is wanted by Steve McClaren, the Middlesborough manager, and terms are being discussed about a £6m move. But Yorke is looking for around £50,000-a-week from Middlesbrough and also wants United to pay him to leave because he did not ask for a transfer.

His demands come after Andy Cole received a huge signing-off payment from United when he joined Blackburn against his will. Now Yorke wants a large sum to sweeten the deal – but United won't give him anything like the Cole settlement as the England player was on higher wages and had more of his contract left.

Yorke is in the last 18 months of his deal and may think he is in a strong position because United want a sale to finance their long-awaited signing of Paolo Di Canio. Middlesborough, however, are becoming increasingly anxious. If Yorke does not agree to the move in the next couple of days, McClaren is prepared to go elsewhere and was checking on a couple of alternatives yesterday.

The United defender Wes Brown last night appeared for the reserves against Oldham, showing no signs of the knee ligament problems that sidelined him for the past two months.

Ronaldo has pledged his future to Inter Milan – squashing speculation about a possible move to United in exchange for David Beckham. The Brazilian said: "I will stay at Inter for life."

Dick Advocaat, the director of football at Rangers, is expected to be named coach of the Dutch national side later today.

The Aston Villa winger David Ginola has been banned for two games and fined £22,000 after being found guilty of misconduct by the Football Association. The charge related to a confrontation with the fourth official after Ginola's sending-off during the 2-0 home defeat by Leicester on 1 December.

Walsall have confirmed Colin Lee as successor to Ray Graydon, who was dismissed earlier this week.