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HAMMER BLOW FOR KITSON
West Ham's Paul Kitson will miss the first two months of next season after having more surgery on the groin injury that wrecked his 1997-98 campaign. Hammers physio John Green said: "So far as we can tell, the operation went very well and now it is just a case of giving time for the healing process."
Kitson's operation is a big blow to the Hammers, who will be without striker John Hartson for the opening game of the campaign because of suspension. Kitson's stop-start season saw him make 17 appearances, scoring five goals. The club narrowly missed out on a UEFA Cup spot and manager Harry Redknapp believes Kitson's injury cost them 20 goals. "The way Paul and John hit it off and scored goals when they joined us the previous season shows how important they are to us," he said. "It is vital for us to get that partnership back together as soon as possible."
REDKNAPP is set to sign Chilean World Cup centre half Javier Margas for a bargain �1.2m. A fee for the 29-year-old has been agreed with his club, Universidad Catolica, and West Ham intend bringing him to London after the finals. Margas has been a target for the Hammers since his impressive display against England in February, and Redknapp is confident he will be signed and his work permit processed quickly so he will be eligible for the new season. Newcastle goalkeeper Shaka Hislop will join the Eastenders on a Bosman free transfer once his contract at St James' Park expires on June 30, giving the club an amazing seven keepers to choose from.
CRAZY GANG FOR BELFAST?
Northern Ireland Secretary Mo Mowlam is backing plans to bring homeless Wimbledon to Belfast. A group of Ulster businessmen want to build a new sports stadium in the city and Mowlam feels Premiership football would bring huge benefits to Northern Ireland - and might even aid the peace process.
The province's Department of the Environment have released this statement: "In general, major sporting and cultural events can bring significant direct and indirect economic benefits to Northern Ireland, help bring the two sides of the community together and assist in projecting a more positive appreciation of the area to an international audience. The relocation of any football or any other sporting club to Northern Ireland is, however, a matter for that club and the relevant governing bodies in the sports concerned. There has been some exploratory correspondence and discussions at both ministerial and official level initiated by a group of Northern Ireland business people about their outline concept for building a new sports stadium in Belfast. They stressed: "There has been no contact between civil servants and Wimbledon FC seeking to persuade that club to relocate to Northern Ireland."
The Dons - who are tenants at Crystal Palace's Selhurst Park ground - have been linked with a switch to Dublin for the last two years and any move to Belfast would almost certainly be opposed by the Irish Football Association, UEFA and FIFA. The IFA claim Wimbledon aren't even interested in moving to Ireland and that the whole thing is just political manoeuvring. IFA general secretary David Bowen said: "They have no interest in playing in Belfast or any other city. They want to play in their own area and are putting pressure on their local council to give them some land."
GUIVARC'H IS A MAGPIE
France World Cup striker Stephane Guivarc'h has completed his �3.5m move to Newcastle, even though he was injured in last Friday's match against South Africa. The Auxerre star was the top scorer in the French League last season with 21 goals and his club originally wanted �6m for him, but the Magpies managed to beat them down. The loose ends were tied up in France by a club delegation, including shamed former chairman Freddy Shepherd, and the player - also tracked by Arsenal and Bayern Munich - passed a medical and signed a four-year deal worth a reported �12,000 a week.
ROVERS TO BUY FRENCH
Blackburn boss Roy Hodgson is poised to take his summer spending past the �10m mark after agreeing a �3m fee with French club Bastia for France Under-21 right back Sebastian Perez. Perez will join Hodgson's other recent recruits - Kevin Davies, whizzkid Jim Corbett and Darren Peacock.
FOXES CHASE EGIL
Leicester manager Martin O'Neill is ready to go back to Southampton for Norway's World Cup striker Egil Ostenstad, who he wants to play alongside England Under-21 star Emile Heskey. O'Neill has been linked with the Scandinavian before and now, with the Filbert Street board making more money available for transfers, he is determined to build on the club's success of the last two seasons.
DERBY SEEK CARSLEY COVER
Derby boss Jim Smith is continuing to search for someone capable of replacing Lee Carsley if the Republic of Ireland midfielder opts for a move to Everton. Already linked with Scotland's John Collins, the Rams manager has also made enquiries about Fiorentina's Emiliano Bigica but faces competition from a number of Italian clubs.
WIEGHORST'S CELTIC FEAR
Celtic midfielder Morten Wieghorst is still uncertain about his future with the Scottish champions despite press reports that he has signed a new one-year deal. The Dane, currently representing his country at the World Cup, is worried about his place in the team following Scotland star Paul Lambert's arrival midway through last term and the re-emergence of Phil O'Donnell late in the season. And the 27-year-old's agent, Leon Angel, insisted his client was considering his options. "We're still in negotiations with Celtic but nothing has been signed yet," he said. "Morten is keen to stay there if we can sort out the right deal, but he has received approaches from other clubs in Europe including England."
FALKIRK SIGN McKEE
Falkirk have had their transfer embargo lifted and signed former Kilmarnock striker Colin McKee on a three-month contract. The Bairns were in provisional receivership last season, but have been given the go-ahead to sign players again after paying Dundee United the money they owe for Scott Crabbe and Marino Keith. Manager Alex Totten, who took McKee to Killie from Manchester United, said: Colin had a terrible time with injuries last season. If he does well, we'll extend his contract. He has tremendous pace and great ability. Totten lost out on another target, though, when Alex Bone opted to stay at Second Division Stirling Albion.
ROUNDUP
Rangers legend Ally McCoist has been offered a two-year contract by Raith Rovers. Manager Jimmy Nicholl hopes to sign the 35-year-old, currently in France working for BBC Television, within the next fortnight � Sunderland have signed pacy young Wrexham winger Neil Wainwright for �500,000. He scored three goals in 13 appearances for the Second Division side last season � Watford's first signing of the summer, 23-year-old Carlisle striker Alan Smart, is thrilled by his �150,000 move south. "Everything about the club impresses me, he said. Watford are ambitious on the field and are not going into Division One to make up the numbers. I'm delighted to get my chance to be part of things." � Birmingham manager Trevor Francis is hoping to wrap up contract talks with chairman David Gold next week. The two men met earlier this week to discuss Francis' new two-year contract, the former England international also wanted clarification on a series of on- and off-field issues. � Burnley stars Andy Cooke and Glen Little have both signed new three-year deals which will keep them at turf Moor until 2001 � Swindon have completed the signing of Bournemouth goalkeeper Jimmy Glass. The 24-year-old, who signed a four-year contract, will compete with Frank Talia for a place in the side. Glass said: "There were a couple of clubs in for me, but it's a good move for me and I am happy." ...
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TODAY'S TV AND RADIO
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PICK OF THE DAY
The Manageress, 3.30pm on UK Horizons Cleanse the palate after all that live action and insightful analysis by dipping into this profile of Birmingham City's ghastly managing director Karren Brady. Obviously her achievements are legendary, but let's just recap some of her proudest moments.
This is the woman who disbanded the Birmingham youth team, claiming: Sainsbury don't grow their own beans, do they? This is the woman who banned the local paper from St Andrews, but had to climb down when their free advertising went to the Villa. This is the woman who put tickets for big matches on sale when the team were playing away so the die-hards ended up missing out. This is the woman who wrote a book described by one 365 staff member as the worst football book ever. Factually inaccurate at every turn. And, of course, this is the woman whose decision to let out the players' lounge to a bunch of wedged-up largers resulted in manager Trevor Francis temporarily quitting the club. Tune in and learn why she is just so damn popular with Blues fans.
BBC1
5pm, Newsround Euro-Stars The World Cup opening ceremony and the Brazil-Scotland game seen through the eyes of a 13-year-old girl from Edinburgh. Bless!
7.30pm, Spain v Paraguay Punters wait, betting slips in hand, to see whether Chilavert can bang one in for the South Americans. That'll be the biggest talking point from this game. If Spain play anything like they did against Nigeria, it'll be largely one-way traffic.
BBC2
7am, Teletubbies Repeat of yesterday's football-themed episode.
ITV
4.15pm, Nigeria v Bulgaria Stoichkov and the boys are out for revenge after being beaten 3-0 by Nigeria in America four years ago. By the way, Ron Atkinson will be doing the match analysis.
10.40pm, Encore Highlights of today's two matches and updates from the England and Scotland camps. Listen out for those song titles!
3.05am (Sat), World Football There is football being played away from France. This is where you'll find it.
EUROSPORT
6am-1.30pm, World Cup Action, reaction and a full re-run of one of yesterday's games.
4pm-12.30am (Sat), World Cup Kicking off with live coverage of Nigeria versus Bulgaria in Paris, which will be re-run later in the evening after live coverage of Spain v Paraguay.
SKY SPORTS 1
7am, 8.15am, Sports Centre Quarter of an hour wrap-up of what happened yesterday in France and elsewhere. Also showing at 7.30am and 8.45am on Sky Sports 2.
12.30pm, Futbol Mundial The football interviews-and-action package show that isn't World Football.
6pm, Sports Centre Reports from the British teams' headquarters in France, news from the Nigeria-Bulgaria game and any transfer market activity. A 15-minute version will go out at 10.45pm and 1am (Saturday) on this channel and 3.30am and 5.45am on Sky Sports 2.
SKY ONE
Midnight, Reds In Europe Fine series charting the adventures of Liverpool and Manchester United on foreign fields. James Bolam, who is neither Scouser nor Mancunian, talks over archive footage of United's European matches between 1953-57.
12.30am (Sat), The World At Their Feet The current generation seem to be doing well enough in France, but what of the England team that will - hopefully make a decent fist of the 2006 finals? This series takes us behind the scenes of the England Schools team.
RADIO
RADIO 5 LIVE
4pm, Nationwide Dodge around the news, traffic and bloody horse racing and they'll keep you abreast of how many goals Nigeria have scored against Bulgaria. And vice versa.
7.30pm, Spain v Paraguay Commentary from St Etienne for folk who can't get to a telly.
TALK RADIO
2pm, Tommy Boyd Presumably not the Brazilian own-goal hero, but his show features coverage of the Nigeria-Bulgaria clash. Alan Mullery gives his expert opinion.
7pm, Sportzone The marvellously-monikered Moz Dee's three-hour show includes live commentary from the Spain-Paraguay match.
RADIO 4
9am, Desert Island Discs Theatre producer Bill Kenwright is marooned with Sue Lawley, and their chat will probably touch on his unsuccessful attempt to take over his beloved Everton. The bloke's probably glad he didn't manage it now!
11pm, Late Tackle Talking sport with Martin Bashir and a panel of guests. Expect more posh folk going on about how awfully yobbish football fans are and how �rugger' supporters never cause trouble.
11.30pm (FM only), Dr Feelgood A profile of controversial sports doctor Hans Muller-Wohlfart.
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News 9 
