ARSENE WENGER has stated his conviction that Arsenal have the strength to come unscathed through the immense test of their treble ambitions over the next three weeks.

NEWCASTLE chairman Freddy Shepherd was yesterday locked in talks with Patrick Kluivert’s agent.

CHELSEA manager Jose Mourinho has laughed off criticism from Arsenal by claiming: “I can’t take it seriously.”

ROY KEANE was ushered into Ireland's training camp through the back door of their Portmarnock hotel yesterday but is struggling to overcome knee and thigh injuries in time to make his comeback against Romania at Lansdowne Road tomorrow.

MANCHESTER UNITED skipper Roy Keane wants to silence his doubters by playing on for three more years at Old Trafford.

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.