THE BASKETBALL you probably know about, but Kieran Donaghy’s other sporting passion comes as a surprise over lunch.

IT’S amazing how the arrival of a new player can focus the mind. I am a John Obi Mikel fan, but he can be frustrating sometimes.

MARCEL DESAILLY has called for France captain Patrice Evra to be suspended for at least two months for his part in Les Bleus’ controversial World Cup campaign.

FORMER France defender Marcel Desailly believes the mood in les Bleus’ camp is upbeat ahead of their World Cup opener against Uruguay tomorrow night.

LIAM BRADY confessed that, along with Marco Tardelli, he’d had “a hunch” that Ireland would draw France in next month’s play-off, even texting his prediction to a friend ahead of yesterday’s draw.

MARCEL DESAILLY fears new Chelsea coach Avram Grant will struggle to build the love and respect that was afforded to Jose Mourinho by the current Blues stars.

Marcel Desailly fears new Chelsea coach Avram Grant will struggle to build the love and respect that was afforded to Jose Mourinho by the current Blues stars.

Former France defender Marcel Desailly questioned Raymond Domenech’s decision to take off Thierry Henry during the World Cup final defeat to Italy.

Former France captain Marcel Desailly is confident Les Bleus can claim their second World Cup title on Sunday.

Former France captain Marcel Desailly has backed Thierry Henry to stay at Arsenal.

Ron Atkinson will make his football comeback tomorrow, working alongside Swindon’s black manager Iffy Onuora.

FORMER Chelsea centre-half Marcel Desailly is convinced Jose Mourinho’s side will wrap up the title should they beat London rivals Arsenal at Highbury on Sunday.

Former Chelsea defender Marcel Desailly has revealed he would like to return to the Barclays Premiership.

Juventus will unveil new signing Patrick Vieira this morning.

HAVING already made an offensive remark about black people, Ron Atkinson has now insulted the Chinese.

Ante-post favourite One Knight is not among the 17 declared for the Coral Welsh National at Chepstow on Tuesday.

ANTE-POST favourite One Knight heads a field of 24 left in at yesterday’s confirmation stage for the Coral Welsh National at Chepstow next Tuesday.

Ante-post favourite Celestial Gold hardened at the top of the betting following today’s final declaration stage for the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup.

PUNTERS believe Celestial Gold will give Martin Pipe a third Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at Newbury on Saturday.

Frankie Dettori outshone the equine celebrities on display at the weekend when he was crowned champion jockey for the third time as the Flat season ended at Doncaster.

Former Chelsea captain Marcel Desailly claims that Celtic, Crystal Palace and Portsmouth were all keen to bring him back to British football on a free transfer before an offer from Qatari club Al Ittihad proved impossible to turn down.

IRELAND will march confidently into the magnificent Stade de France tonight with spirits high and ambition soaring to face a French team reeling amid charges of mis-management.

BRIAN KERR yesterday moved swiftly to dampen the unrealistic predictions about the result of Saturday’s World Cup qualifying tie in Paris that have been spawned by France’s list of problems.

Former Liverpool and Everton defender Abel Xavier has been added to the list of candidates which Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp is considering to solve his defensive crisis.

A CAUTIONARY note seems advisable after absorbing the cross-section of views expressed in the sports pages of the Sunday papers — France have conceded nothing ahead of next Saturday’s World Cup qualifying tie at the Stade de France.

BRIAN KERR’S trademark Dublin wit was much in evidence after training yesterday in Malahide when he strove to banish World Cup concerns at the number of first-choice players ruled out of tomorrow’s opening qualifier against Cyprus.

Marcel Desailly will not feature in the Champions League even if he does choose to sign for Celtic.

France captain Patrick Vieira has declared himself physically and mentally ready to start Les Bleus’ 2006 World Cup qualifier against Israel at the Stade de France on Saturday.

Former football pundit Ron Atkinson is to make a documentary about racism.

MARCEL DESAILLY claims he has been offered the chance to end his playing days this summer and return to Chelsea to take up a role on Jose Mourinho’s staff.

Marcel Desailly has admitted that he could retire from football this summer following his release by Chelsea.

Former Chelsea defender Marcel Desailly has invited Celtic manager Martin O’Neill to make a move for him.

Marcel Desailly is seeking a new club after stressing that his departure from Chelsea and decision to quit international football will not be followed by an announcement of his retirement.

NEWCASTLE will not be held to ransom as they attempt to push home their interest in Barcelona hitman Patrick Kluivert.

Marcel Desailly has ended his contract with Chelsea by mutual consent.

Marcel Desailly has announced his retirement from international football after a record 116 appearances for France.

Euro 2004 result:

Patrick Vieira failed a late fitness test for France’s Euro 2004 quarter-final with Greece at the Estadio Jose Alvalade with Olivier Dacourt getting his second start of the tournament in place of the injured Arsenal midfielder.

France coach Jacques Santini will have to shuffle his defence for the Euro 2004 quarter-final against Greece tomorrow because of the broken arm which has ended the tournament of right-back Willy Sagnol.

Euro 2004 results:

All the latest from Portugal.

THIERRY Henry says that he and his French team-mates have yet to fire on all cylinders as they approach tonight’s final Euro 2004 Group B match with Switzerland.