Watford deny move to appoint Adams

WATFORD officials have refused to comment on speculation that Arsenal defender Tony Adams is in line to take over the vacant manager's job at Vicarage Road.

Reports suggest the 35-year-old former England international has held two rounds of talks with the Hornets, who are looking for a replacement for Italian Gianluca Vialli following his sacking in June.

But the club would not be drawn on the subject, with club spokesman Andrew French saying: ‘‘It is club policy not to comment on speculation.

‘‘We will only make an announcement when there’s an announcement to be made.’’

Adams has also been linked with First Division new boys Brighton and Brentford as he looks to take his first step into management.

Meanwhile, Arsenal’s Swedish midfield ace Freddie Ljungberg hopes to be back in action in two months following a hip operation.

The 25-year-old midfielder had surgery in Cambridge last Saturday for the injury which kept him out of Sweden’s last two World Cup matches.

He flew home to Halmstad yesterday, where he plans to rest before starting light training.

‘‘It was a difficult operation to go through and I’m in a hell of a lot of pain,’’ Ljungberg said.

‘‘I know it would be tough, but when I found out there were no risks involved with the surgery then of course I was going to have it done, so I could make a comeback as quickly as possible.’’

The FA Player of the Year revealed he will stay in Sweden for up to five weeks and gradually return to light training before reporting for duty at Highbury.

‘‘I’m going to rest completely until Monday then I’ll start a little bit of training,’’ he added.

‘‘It will only be some exercises in water at first, and forward running only so I don’t put too much strain on the hip.

‘‘My goal, however, is to be fit in two months.’’

Meanwhile, Juninho’s proposed return to Middlesbrough moved a step closer yesterday after his father and agent, Osvaldo Giroldo, confirmed the midfielder intends to step up negotiations.

The Premiership club has already agreed an unconfirmed fee with Atletico Madrid for the Brazilian World Cup winner and confirmed both parties had opened talks to bring the diminutive playmaker back to Teesside after a two-year absence.

‘‘We have begun negotiations with Middlesbrough, but we want to carry them further,’’ Osvaldo Giroldo told the Spanish press.

‘‘As soon as they call me and we can establish some guidelines, I will travel to continue the negotiations.’’