Scottish Mag

Blackburn have been rocked by the news that influential striker Craig Bellamy may not play again until the New Year. The injury-prone Welshman has already been laid low by knee and thigh problems this season and has now succumbed to a hamstring strain ahead of Saturday's match against West Ham. Bellamy picked up the injury in training on Wednesday and the initial prognosis has it that Bellamy will not pull on a Rovers shirt until mid January. That would see Bellamy doubtful for a return to Newcastle on January 21, the club he left to join Rovers in a £4.5 million deal in July. The news comes a huge blow to Rovers manager Mark Hughes who has raised expectations at Ewood Park this season.

Turkey bad-boy Alpay Ozalan is pondering a sensational return to English football. The Cologne defender was banned for four games by the Bundesliga authorities after TV replays showed him elbowing Hamburg's Guy Demel last Saturday. The incident came after he was caught up in the controversy surrounding the end of Turkey's World Cup play-off with Switzerland when scuffles broke out in the players' tunnel. With Alpay still remembered for an ugly spat with David Beckham when the England captain missed a penalty in the Euro 2004 qualifier in Istanbul, he has acquired something of a reputation. However, the former Aston Villa stopper has received offers to return to The Premiership. "I have had two enquiries from there [England] and also two from German clubs since last weekend," he told Kicker. "After all that has happened here recently, I would be interested in playing in England again but I don't want to leave the team, the fans and Mr [Wolfgang] Overath in the lurch. "Also, my wife likes it here in Cologne, as well as my eight-year-old son, who plays for the Cologne youth team, and my five-year-old daughter. "No [my image in England is not tarnished]. That was all over within a week in England [the Beckham confrontation]. "Everything was fine after that. "But all the bad press I have had in Germany has got me worried. What if some crazy person comes and attacks my family?" Alpay was dropped by coach Uwe Rapolder as punishment for the elbowing offence and his future at the club remains uncertain.

I thought you supported Reading?

So did I. Better than Ronaldinho according to talksport....

But according to the likes of talksport they do have the best player in the world...

If they go out, Fergies going to be under a hell of alot of pressure from the Yank... Ferguson for the Toon??

Is he that much more qualified than these British managers you say are not up to the job? 65028[/snapback] A couple of top 3 finishes in France & a Champions League Final. I'd say yeah. 65326[/snapback] Whereas the likes of Martin O Neill has a fair few trophies etc under his belt and a European final also...

The 1st Residential Evil film was alright. Besides, if you have played Silent Hill you'll know it's almost a movie in itself with all the twists and plots in it. I just hope the director Christopher Gans makes it live up to it’s potential to be a horror classic. 65240[/snapback] Street Fighter was class anarl. 65265[/snapback] And Bob Hoskins was canny in Super Mario Bros....

Welcome home old yin...

Agreed This is just like the numerous posts that said we would sign Dickov...

Aston Villa are attempting a prolonged campaign of persuasion to try to convince Newcastle United to part with James Milner. The England Under-21 international has been one of Villa's few success stories this season since he moved to Birmingham on a season's loan as part of the £1.5m deal which brought Nolberto Solano back to the North-East. Villa boss David O'Leary - who worked with Milner when he was manager of Leeds United - is attempting to use a mixture of charm on the player and gentle pressure on Newcastle in an effort to capture the 20-year-old on a permanent basis. The former Republic of Ireland international is believed to have brought up Milner's future when he was at St James's Park last weekend, although Newcastle's manager Graeme Souness and chairman Freddie Shepherd remain adamant they want Milner back at the end of the season. Indeed, given the injury problems at St James's Park this season, Souness must regret allowing the versatile midfielder, who cost £3.5m in the summer of 2004, to leave the club in August. Nevertheless, it remains to be seen whether Milner will want to return to Newcastle at the end of the season. The former Leeds prospect has admitted he is thoroughly enjoying his football now having been in and out of the team on Tyneside. He said: "When you play every week you get more confidence and it's a great feeling. That's what happened to me at Leeds and it's a great opportunity for me at Villa. Hopefully I'm taking that opportunity, learning and putting some good performances in." O'Leary is sure to put forward a persuasive argument for him to remain in Birmingham, knowing if the player is reluctant to return, he might be able to force United to sell. Such tactics are unlikely to carry much weight with tough characters like Souness and Shepherd, both of whom allowed Milner to leave temporarily only because regular first team football would ultimately benefit Newcastle. Meanwhile, United transfer target Gareth Barry is the latest Midlands member of the Milner fan club after the youngster was forced to miss Saturday's game between the two clubs because Premier League rules state that players on loan cannot play against their parent clubs. Barry, whose last minute penalty miss on Saturday has helped keep Souness in a job, said: "James was in and out at Newcastle and, to really judge a player, you need to see them over 10-15 games." "He was probably fearing the worst after making his debut at West Ham when we lost 4-0. But young players don't tend to fear anything. James just got on with the next game and he has been brilliant for us since."

GREAT post. 65052[/snapback] Do you think so? I personally thought it was piss poor (though none post of HTTs will ever reach the standards of his "done like a kipper" effort)....

Is he that much more qualified than these British managers you say are not up to the job?

Anyone think going by the report that it was another bit of lazy journalism and someones been lurking on here? What i posted last night -

Well the latest gossip reported up here is that whislt souness was denying that he would be Rangers manager as the toon would be his last job in management, there is now talk of him being director of football at ibrox.......

Bastard...

Happy Birthday dude...

A woman, while at the funeral of her own mother, met a guy whom she did not know. She thought this guy was amazing. She believed him to be her dream guy so much, that she fell in love with him right there, but never asked for his number and could not find him. A few days later she killed her sister. Question: What is her motive for killing her sister?

Graeme Souness insists Kieron Dyer's return to full training tomorrow will mark the end of his fitness nightmare. The Newcastle boss believes Dyer has finally conquered the injury and illness problems which have dogged him in recent years. A month ago, United confirmed Dyer had been hit by a mystery ailment which was hindering his recovery from hamstring trouble. While that illness remains unknown, the 26-year-old has just returned from five days of tests at the British Olympic Association Medical Institute in Essex. And Souness is now confident of having Dyer back in action for Saturday's Premiership game against Arsenal - and for the rest of the season. "We have got to the bottom of him," said the United manager. "He came back on Thursday and will start training with the group again on Monday. "He has been feeling sorry for himself, but I spoke to him on Thursday night and he seemed happier." Souness claimed that Dyer's return would feel like signing a new player, saying: "He gives us something extra. "Look at what he did in 20 minutes against West Brom even though he was not right physically."

Newcastle target Nihat Kahveci has admitted he may leave Real Socieded during the January transfer window. Graeme Souness is mulling over a New Year move for Turkish striker Nihat - if he is still in charge of United next month. And Nihat, who should be available for a knock-down fee ahead of the expiry of his current contract next summer, has now confirmed: "I may move. It is a definite possibility. "December will be the key for many things but, like always, the decision depends on the club." But Souness has missed out on Real Madrid's Ivan Helguera, with the defender having agreed a three-year contract extension at the Bernabeu.

No problem mate, it was nice to meet you...

Was good to see everyone again and to finally meet ol snakehips...