CHELSEA winger Damien Duff admits he took a “big risk” with his fitness in ignoring specialist advice telling him to have an operation on his shoulder injury.

GARY NEVILLE insists Manchester United are still in the running for the title. The England defender claims it is too early to dismiss their chances of dismantling Chelsea, who are already six points clear at the top.

CLAUDIO RANIERI’S future as Chelsea manager looks considerably brighter after the Italian held a “very good meeting” with the club’s officials.

MANCHESTER CITY defender Richard Dunne has been added to the Republic of Ireland squad to face Canada on Tuesday following the withdrawals of Newcastle United’s Andy O’Brien, Sunderland’s Gary Breen and Liverpool’s Steve Finnan.

LIVERPOOL chief executive Rick Parry has slammed reports linking the club with a move for Porto coach Jose Mourinho.

Tottenham 1 West Ham 1

RIO FERDINAND is set to argue he was denied an opportunity to take a drugs test when he launches his defence against an FA misconduct charge in Bolton next week.

BLACKBURN ROVERS’ midfielder, Steven Reid, last night emphasised the important role that Ireland’s top internationals Roy Keane and Damien Duff can play in the development of the many young players now being introduced to international football.

THE Premiership title race has not even reached its halfway stage and already the mind games have begun.

PAUL SCHOLES is out of Manchester United's next three games just as Alex Ferguson is able to name his first-choice strike force again.

CHELSEA striker Eidur Gudjohnsen insisted that Arsenal will again be his side's main title rivals this season, following their opening victory against Manchester United.

SVEN-Goran Eriksson argued his innocence yesterday as he gave evidence to the legal team investigating the controversy which has rocked the English Football Association.

THE curtain goes up this week on the latest twist in the battle for control of Manchester United, as speculation mounts that American tycoon Malcolm Glazer will make a fresh approach to the club's board in the coming days.

FORMER Everton manager Howard Kendall has backed the club to claim a Champions League place and believes David Moyes has put the foundations in place to bring back the glory days to Goodison Park.

NEWCASTLE midfielder Nicky Butt will sit out the club’s next three European games after being banned by UEFA.

ARSENE WENGER says he has been surprised by Thierry Henry’s progression from raw talent to FIFA World Footballer of the Year nominee – but he is now backing the French striker to get even better.

HUNDREDS of Roy Keane’s hometown fans queued outside Cork Opera House yesterday as tickets for the critically acclaimed musical, I, Keano, went on sale.

JOE COLE last night completed his move to Chelsea with Juan Sebastian Veron poised to follow suit today.