Sporting briefs...

Blunder ball: Punters have a chance to kick the ball sent flying over the bar by David Beckham from the penalty spot in England's Euro 2004 quarter-final defeat by Portugal. The winner of an ebay online auction will be allowed to kick the ball during half-time of a second division match between Wolves and Gillingham on February 19. The ball, which is on a world tour raising money for charity, was caught high in the stands of the Luz Stadium in Lisbon by a Spanish fan. It was auctioned on ebay and after several fake bids, including one of 10 million euros, was sold in July for €28,000.

Jardel: Brazilian striker Mario Jardel has signed a private contract with Spanish second division leaders Alaves until 2007. The 31-year-old cannot yet be registered to play in Spain as he is under contract with Argentine side Newell's Old Boys until June, but the player is trying to get the deal annulled because of alleged non-payment of salary.

Mourinho: Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has said for the first time that he thinks his side will win the Premier League title this season. The London club are 10 points clear of Arsenal at the top with 14 games left and have won their last seven league matches without conceding a goal as they chase their first title for 50 years. "I think we will win the league," Mourinho was quoted as saying on Chelsea's website yesterday, the first time the Portuguese manager has gone as far as saying his side should clinch the title.

Gerrard: Captain Steven Gerrard will consider his Liverpool future at the end of the season, following interest from top European clubs. Gerrard, a product of Liverpool's youth system, has regularly been linked with Premier League rivals Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal, along with Real Madrid. "I'll sit down at the end of the season and assess the situation," the 24-year-old England midfielder told the BBC yesterday. "I'm settled at the moment and I've got some massive games to play in the near future. There's some top clubs around Europe who are showing some interest, but I'm at a top club as I speak and I'll concentrate giving all I've got for Liverpool."

Reid: Nottingham Forest have accepted an offer from Southampton of four million pounds plus two players for their Irish international midfielder Andy Reid, the second division club said yesterday. Premier League Southampton, who went through to the fifth round of the FA Cup yesterday with a 2-1 win over Portsmouth, will swap striker Brett Ormerod and defender Darren Kenton for Reid.

In France: Bastia vs Lyon p.p.; Toulouse vs Marseille 1-3; Caen vs Lille 0-0; Lens vs Strasbourg 2-1; Metz vs Auxerre 3-0; Rennes vs Bordeaux 2-0; St Etienne vs Ajaccio pp; Sochaux vs Nice 0-0. Today: Istres vs Nantes; Monaco vs Paris SG.

Spanish Liga: Atletico Madrid vs Albacete 3-1.