Football news

Barcelona striker Thierry Henry is the player Newcastle manager Kevin Keegan would most like to sign, given the chance.

"It would be nice to amaze people with the people we're bringing in," Keegan was quoted as saying. "We certainly have an owner who could help find the money. If I could sign one player, you'd want to bring Thierry Henry back to England."

The France forward, who joined Barcelona last year for €24 million, was the Premier League's top scorer in four of the five seasons from 2001-06 and helped Arsenal to league title and cup success in an eight-year spell in north London.

Inter's Figo ready to return

Luis Figo is ready to return for leaders Inter at Catania tomorrow night after missing three months with a broken leg.

"I have recovered. I'm not up to match rhythm, but I feel ready to return, maybe in the next league game, or the one after," the midfielder said.

"If I don't play, I can't regain the match fitness I lack."

Huntelaar for Roma - agent

Roma are looking to sign Dutch striking ace Klaas Jan Huntelaar in summer. The 24-year-old is set to leave Ajax. So far, he has found the net 59 times in just 70 outings for the Amsterdam outfit.

While Juventus, Milan and Inter have all been linked with Huntelaar's signature during the last few months, it seems that Roma have the way clear to sign the player.

"Juventus aren't chasing him anymore, as they are focused on Amauri," agent Vincenzo Morabito said.

"Milan and Inter don't have any great need for strikers, so now a move to Rome looks possible. It will take around £15m."

Power crisis no problem - Mbeki

South African President Thabo Mbeki said yesterday he had no doubt his country could host the 2010 World Cup despite a power crisis since early January. Tourism authorities fear the energy crunch - which halted key gold and platinum mines last month - will make South Africa an unsuitable host for the event.

"I have absolutely no doubt that we will honour our undertaking to FIFA and the world community of soccer players and lovers to create all the necessary conditions for the holding of the best ever World Cup tournament," Mbeki told parliament.

Nedved bid 'an option' - FC Tokyo

FC Tokyo have not ruled out an audacious move for former European Footballer of the Year Pavel Nedved of the Czech Republic.

"It's not out of the question," FC Tokyo official Fumitoshi Wakabayashi told Reuters yesterday. "The club is always trying to improve and (Nedved) could be one option."

The J-League club are lining up an offer for the Juventus midfielder in July in a deal worth around $10 million, Nikkan Sports daily reported.

Thai referee gets a beating

A Thai soccer referee was beaten up by an entire team after sending off three of their players during a match to decide promotion to the country's second division.

Referee Prakong Sukguamala needed 50 stitches and also broke a finger after being attacked by the Kuiburi FC squad, furious at being shown three red cards during a 4-1 loss to Kasem Bundit on Thursday.

The angry players charged into Prakong's dressing room at the stadium in Ayutthaya, north of Bangkok, and started to kick and punch him. They dispersed after police fired gunshots into the air.

Moratti plotting Quaresma raid

Massimo Moratti is planning a swoop for Portugal star Ricardo Quaresma. The Inter supremo was in Zurich in midweek for Italy's 3-1 victory over Portugal during which Quaresma scored a consolation goal.

Inter are expected to make some high-profile transfers next summer as they look to strengthen their squad. They have already been linked with a number of new signings including forward Giuseppe Rossi.

Reports suggest that Moratti is keen to start talks with Porto officials for Quaresma to avoid a summer bidding war.

Juve want me says Diego

Werder Bremen's Diego said he is excited by the prospect of joining Juventus next season. The Brazilian playmaker is attracting interest from all over Europe but Juve are believed to be the only side to have made a formal approach.

Diego said: "Juventus want me and I am proud to have that interest. The reports saying that Inter were interested were made up, but Juve is something that we are working on."

Everton drop Yakubu

Everton have dropped Nigeria's Yakubu Aiyegbeni for today's home match against Reading after his late return from the African Nations Cup.

Yakubu was expected back at Goodison Park on Wednesday following Nigeria's quarter-final elimination by tournament hosts Ghana but did not turn up until yesterday.

Manager David Moyes declined, however, to reveal whether Yakubu, Everton's leading scorer with nine Premier league goals, would be punished in any other way for his unauthorised late return.