Bruce elated after Valencia rejects Real move

Wigan manager Steve Bruce has revealed that Ecuador international Antonio Valencia has turned down a move to Spanish giants Real Madrid.

Bruce, speaking after his side's goalless draw away to Aston Villa, here Saturday, confirmed the winger would be staying at the JJB Stadium until at least the end of the season.

The Latics boss also confirmed that he was close to signing Newcastle's left-sided winger Charles N'Zogbia after the French player watched his potential new club at Villa Park.

Wigan feared Valencia, who missed Saturday's match because of a hamstring injury, could follow Emile Heskey and Wilson Palacios out of the club during the latest transfer window, which shuts on Monday.

England striker Heskey joined Villa for 3.5 million pounds last week and made his home debut against his former club on Saturday.

Palacios, who followed Bruce from his previous club Birmingham, was sold to Tottenham after Wigan accepted a reported 14 million pounds offer.

"Valencia has turned down an offer from Real Madrid. It only happened on Friday night and it is great news for us," said Bruce.

"He is prepared to stay with us until the end of the season at least, which is fantastic. We have lost Emile and Wilson, and the last thing you want to do is rebuild a team in January. Keeping hold of Antonio was paramount.

"As regards N'Zogbia, we have agreed a fee with Newcastle. There is still a bit to do to get over the line, and we will see what develops."

Bruce admitted Wigan, sixth in the table, had come under intense pressure against Villa and praised his team for their resolute defending.

Villa, who in manager Martin O'Neill's 100th match in charge missed the opportunity to go second, created numerous chances.

"I can't remember being under the cosh like that and getting away with it before," said Bruce.

"You need to have a bit of luck when it is like that and you need your defenders to be brave. But we were terrific in sticking at it. We were out on our feet at the end after the game with Liverpool on Wednesday."

Villa manager O'Neill admitted he was running out of time to bring in a new defender before the transfer window deadline closes in a bid to provide cover for club captain Martin Laursen, who is out for two months with a knee injury.

"I think it's going to be exceptionally difficult now," said O'Neill.

"I enquired about one or two, possibly more in hope than expectation, but I think it's going to be hard."

He added: "I'm going to keep working right the way through until 5pm (1700GMT) on Monday and then breathe a sigh of relief after that, but I'd like to do something."

Villa saw John Carew return against Wigan from a back problem which had ruled the Norwegian international striker out since the draw with Manchester United in mid-November.

"I was pleased to have him back," said O'Neill after Carew's appearance as a second-half substitute.

"He has been out a long time, since playing the last 15 minutes against Manchester United.

"We have done very well indeed since then. But it is good to have him available as another option for what lies ahead."

Weary Spurs drag themselves to Old Trafford

MANCHESTER, England, Jan 23, 2009 (AFP) - Harry Redknapp has admitted he will be sending a makeshift side to Old Trafford for Tottenham's FA Cup fourth round tie against Manchester United.

Redknapp's side are feeling the affects of a demanding midweek League Cup semi-final win at Burnley and he has admitted he will be unable to field anything like a full-strength side against opponents his side will face again in the League Cup final on March 1.

This all bodes well for United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, who is grappling with an injury crisis as his side bid to keep their pursuit of silverware on four fronts on track by advancing to the fifth round.

Redknapp, who watched his side come within minutes of throwing away a three-goal lead in a dramatic second leg against Burnley, now admits his main focus will be keeping Spurs in the Premier League.

Despite beating United on home soil with Porstmouth last season before going on to lift the trophy with victory over Cardiff City, Redknapp is clear about his priorities this season.

Defenders Jonathan Woodgate and Michael Dawson will be rested along with Jermain Defoe, as Redknapp prepares to field an even weaker team than the one which scraped home at Burnley.

Redknapp said: "With respect to Manchester United, I don't know what more I can do. It will be a different team again that goes to Old Trafford. OK, we've reached Wembley and that is fantastic, but the main objective remains staying in the Premier League and certain people will not be considered.

"We went to extra time against Burnley and have injuries, so we need to look at who is available for consideration."

This will be music to the ears of Ferguson, who will be without three members of his first choice back four as well as midfielder Anderson and Wayne Rooney.

United's reduced options could result in a rare starting opportunity for Portuguese international Nani, who admits he is desperate to play a more pivotal role than he has done so far this season.

The Portuguese winger is hoping his stunning strike against Derby County in the League Cup semi-final second leg in midweek will earn him a run in the side as Ferguson shuffles his pack.

"Last season was good. I was pleased with my games and my contribution to the team," Nani said.

"This season I hoped it would be better. When I get my chances my aim is to do better than I did at the start of the season.

"I want to play more. I would like to play more times but it hasn't been the same as last season.

"I feel good when I play and I try to do my best to help the team. In some games I have done well but others I haven't done so well, but this is football.

"Your fitness when you don't play every week suffers. But I am training good and keep preparing for the next match and hope to play.

"My focus is always on doing well for the team. If I do that then everything will be going well for me.

"I am still confident. It is difficult when you play one game and then are out for two matches. You want to stay in for a run of matches.

"You really need three, four or five games for your confidence to build and your fitness to be right. You can do anything when your confidence is high."

City sign Hamburg's de Jong

MANCHESTER, England, Jan 21, 2009 (AFP) - Manchester City have signed Dutch midfielder Nigel de Jong from German side Hamburg for an undisclosed fee, the English Premier League side announced on Wednesday

The 24-year-old, capped 29 times by his country, has signed a four-and-a-half year contract with City, now transformed into one of the world's wealthiest sports clubs under the ownership of Abu Dhabi-based Sheikh Mansour.

City, rebuffed on Monday in their bid to sign Brazil's Kaka from AC Milan for a reported 108 million pounds (100 million euros) - a world record deal if it had gone through - have seen two players join this week with de Jong following former West Ham striker Craig Bellamy to Eastlands.

De Jong missed much of the first half of the Bundesliga campaign with a knee injury but recently returned to training.

He had been with Hamburg for three years after joining from Ajax.

Redknapp salutes Spurs' spirit

BURNLEY, England, Jan 22, 2009 (AFP) - Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp admitted his League Cup holders looked "dead and buried" before scoring deep into extra-time to see off Burnley in a dramatic semi-final.

Second-tier Burnley, 3-0 up in the second leg after the end of 90 minutes, were on the brink of a dramatic win overall on the away goals rule after losing 4-1 at White Hart Lane a fortnight ago, when, in the 118th minute Pavlyuchenko scored from close range to the despair of home fans here at Turf Moor.

Defoe then put the matter beyond doubt to give Tottenham the chance of winning back-to-back League Cups when they face Manchester United at Wembley on March 1.

"I thought we were dead and buried," Redknapp told Sky Sports after a 6-4 aggregate win.

"You're thinking 'what do we do?'. But we showed character and we came back. I was disappointed (with the performance) of course.

"Burnley were terrific, they showed great character, but we've had some great performances (in the League Cup), beating Liverpool, and we deserve to be there."

Redknapp, who will now have the chance to be a Wembley winner two seasons running after guiding Portsmouth to FA Cup glory last year, added he was disappointed by the response of some members of his struggling Premier League side to Wednesday's signing of Honduras midfielder Wilson Palacios from Wigan.

The former West Ham boss believes Palacios is just the man Spurs, only above the relegation zone on goal difference, need to kick start their climb away from the bottom of the table.

"That's what I need, that's why I bought him (Palacios). They should be fighting for their lives to stay at a great club like Tottenham.

"Their futures are on the line, some of them," added Redknapp who denied reports he made a bid to sign Chelsea reserve goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini.

With one final guaranteed, Redknapp made it clear he would rest key men for Tottenham's FA Cup fourth round tie against United at Old Trafford on Saturday.

"I'm really going to send a real mismatched side up there," he said. "We've played extra-time tonight (Wednesday) and we're out on our feet. I can't afford any more injuries."

Meanwhile proud Burnley manager Owen Coyle urged his side to use this match as a springboard for their bid to gain promotion to the Premier League.

The Clarets are just outside the play-off places in the Championship but the Lancashire club have given their fans a tantalising sight of what they can do against top-flight opposition by knocking out Fulham, Chelsea and Arsenal of this season's League Cup.

They so nearly inflicted similar embarrassment upon Spurs after goals from Robbie Blake, Chris McCann and Jay Rodridguez took Burnley to the brink of a first League Cup final appearance.

"It's gut-wrenching," said Coyle, whose team were 100/1 outsiders to reach the final after their first leg loss.

"No-one gave us a chance beforehand but we believed we could score the first goal and make it a game to remember and we did that.

"All credit to the players, they were magnificent and they should be walking out very proud of the performance they gave.

"It's not always the better side that wins. I'm disappointed for them but we've got a big season in the Championship so we have to dust ourselves down and come back stronger."

Man-of-the-match Blake added: "We worked so hard to get in the game and we deserved to be 3-0 ahead. But they're class players and they punished tired legs at the end."

There was one winner for Burnley, though, on the night as a Clarets male fan had 'Rachel will you marry Simon' flashed up on the stadium screen and in front of the television cameras she blushed and said yes.

Man Utd see off Derby to reach League Cup final

MANCHESTER, England, Jan 20, 2009 (AFP) - Manchester United gave themselves the chance to win yet another trophy with a 4-2 League Cup semi-final second leg win over Derby County here at Old Trafford.

Tuesday's result gave United a 4-3 victory on aggregate after their shock 1-0 loss away to the second-tier Championship strugglers in the first leg.

First-half goals from Nani, John O'Shea and Carlos Tevez put United in seemingly total command but Giles Barnes pulled one back for Derby with a penalty 10 minutes from time.

When Cristiano Ronaldo beat former United goalkeeper Roy Carroll with an 89th minute penalty it seemed all hopes of a Derby revival had been snuffed out only for Barnes to score a second goal in stoppage time with a fine free-kick.

English, European and world champions United will face the winners of the second semi-final between Burnley and Tottenham, who play their second leg on Wednesday, at Wembley on March 1.

Spurs will be firm favourites to make it an all Premier League final after winning the first leg 4-1.

Title is still within our grasp, insists Benitez

LIVERPOOL, England, Jan 20, 2009 (AFP) - Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez insisted that his side could still win the Premier League despite watching his side carelessly drop more points in a 1-1 draw with city rivals Everton on Monday.

Benitez's side looked to be heading two points clear the summit after skipper Steven Gerrard gave his side the lead against neighbours Everton at Anfield on Monday.

But Liverpool were forced to settle for a draw after Australian international Tim Cahill pounced in the dying moments to earn Everton a priceless point.

Benitez's side are level on points with leaders Manchester United but Sir Alex Ferguson's side have a game in hand and a better goal difference.

In addition, Liverpool have now failed to win four of their last five home games ahead of third-placed Chelsea's visit to Anfield on February 1.

Yet Benitez opted to reflect on the positives than dwell on the negatives after Liverpool's hopes of securing the title for the first time since 1990 suffered another damaging setback.

"It could be better but we have to be positive," said Benitez afterwards.

"When you lose two points you have to be disappointed. But let's not forget that we are level on points with Manchester United and we are still in the Champions League.

"I still believe we can win the title. We have players coming back from injury."

The build-up to the game had been dominated by news that Benitez had rejected the offer of a contract extension casting doubt over his future at Anfield.

Benitez wants more power when it comes to signing players, but the Spaniard denied that his decision to turn down the deal contributed to his side's disappointing result.

He also defended his decision to cut short Fernando Torres's first start since November 26 soon after Liverpool had taken the lead.

"I think that Torres was really tired," added Benitez, who also replaced Robbie Keane.

"It was not an easy game but we were much better in the second half. We were winning with two minutes remaining. That's why it could have been better but we have to be positive."

Everton, who remain sixth in the table, are now unbeaten in seven games after ending a three-match losing run against their rivals.

Despite losing Louis Saha and Yakubu to long-term injuries, they have lost just twice in 11 away games this term.

"I thought we played with confidence and did very well," said delighted manager David Moyes.

"Overall I'm very pleased.

"We got the goal we deserved. It's another point for us.

"It shows how far Everton have come. The stability that we have at the club has allowed us to come to Anfield and get a good result."

Kaka staying at Milan, says Berlusconi

MILAN, Italy, Jan 19, 2009 (AFP) - AC Milan president and Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has ended transfer speculation surrounding Kaka by telling a TV programme on Monday that the 26-year-old Brazilian will be staying at Milan.

The former World Player of the Year had been the subject of a reported 100 million euro bid from mega-rich Manchester City in a transfer saga that had been picking up pace over the last week.

Berlusconi said last week that with the money on offer he could not force Kaka to stay if he wanted to leave.

But he seems to have changed his mind and claimed on Monday that he had intervened personally to ensure the fans' favourite will be staying in Italy.

"Both I and he (Kaka) have intervened," said Berlusconi.

"When I heard him say that he prefers to stay, that he doesn't feel like he has lost the opportunity to earn a higher salary and that he feels privileged to wear the shirt, he values the closeness and the friendships, the heat and affection that all the fans have shown him even in these last two days, I said 'hallelujah' and we hugged," he told '7 Gold'.

"Kaka is and is staying at Milan."

However, Berlusconi then opened up a little doubt.

"I give my word on the things that depend on me. At the end of this affair I don't know if I will still be president of Milan, as much as I am not any more," he said cryptically before seeming to settle the matter once again.

"He has taken himself off the market with this decision to stay loyal to the contract he has with Milan.

"A contract signed on a piece of paper with a stamp but now we can say with certitude that it was signed with the heart."

He added in an interview with Sky Sport 24: "That's the end of the story. I am truly delighted to have kept Kaka at Milan.

"Kaka is a great champion and a great man. He's refused the offer from Manchester City giving privilege to Milan, his companions and his fans.

"He said it's because money isn't everything in life.

"Kaka is staying with us and we're delighted. Money is important but there are also other things that are important.

"The fans are delighted too. Turning down so much money is something to admire."

The English also confirmed on its website that the affair was at an end.

"Manchester City has terminated its discussions with AC Milan over the possible transfer of the player Kaka," read a statement.

"Following a meeting in Milan today, the Club felt that it was unlikely that the two parties could reach common ground for an agreement.

"The discussions reached only a preliminary stage and the player was not involved at any time. No commercial terms were framed.

City chief executive said that while it would be fantastic to attract players of Kaka's quality the transfer had to be a good all round deal.

"Whilst Manchester City Football Club has an obvious interest in world class players of the quality of Kaka, we owe it to our fans that such a transfer must work on every level; commercially, financially, in terms of results on the field and within Manchester City's broader community," said Cook.

Earlier in the day Milan fans had held a vigil outside his home begging Kaka to stay at their club.

They only went home late on Monday after their idol acknowledged them from his window for the second time.

Fans began their protest against Kaka's propsed 100 million euro transfer to mega-rich Manchester City outside Milan's headquarters during the early evening before heading off to the exclusive compound where he lives.

They stayed there chanting songs about him and pleading with him not to leave until finally being satisfied the second time he waved at them.

City's owners the Abu Dhabi Group had made the former World Player of the Year their primary transfer target during the January window and reportedly tempted Milan with what would have been a world record fee for a player.

Milan initially claimed that they had not accepted City's bid but would not stand in his way if he chose to leave.

The club's fans, however, took a completely different approach and begged him to stay.

In the morning dozens of fans left letters with the caretaker at Kaka's gated compound, a former palace.

"Our letter was one page long in which we wrote from the heart to remind him what he represents for us and to ask him to stay here," said 20-year-old Niccolo, a Milan fan who was part of an early campaign outside Kaka's home.

Kaka's father and agent Bosco Leite had arrived in Milan from Brazil in mid-morning before meeting with his son, according to Italian news agency Ansa, who said that Berlusconi and club vice-president Adriano Galliani met for an hour and a half to discuss his possible departure.