Ahead of TheGame: Reid denies Sunderland link

The news in 60 seconds

REID DENIES SUNDERLAND LINK
The Thailand coach has dismissed reports linking him to the vacant managerial position at the Stadium of Light despite saying he would be interested in the job in his newspaper column this morning. "I haven't been offered the job at Sunderland and I will not take it if I am offered it," he said. "I haven't asked for the job. I have been there once and loved it, it's a great place but I am enjoying working here."
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/sunderland/article5307344.ece

ROSICKY OUT UNTIL MARCH
The Arsenal midfielder has undergone surgery in Germany on his hamstring tendon and will return to England in ten days to continue his rehabilitation. However, Arsene Wenger believes it will be some time before the 27-year-old plays again. "He's back here on December 17 and then hopefully we can start to work with him," he said. "But it's a long-term prospect."
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/arsenal/article5307785.ece

FA TO INVESTIGATE KINNEAR DISMISSAL
Newcastle's interim manager is in trouble again as the governing body consider referee Mike Riley's report into his dismissal during the 2-2 draw with Stoke on Saturday. The 61-year-old was sent to the stands for comments made about the free-kick from which the visitors scored their injury-time equaliser.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/newcastle/article5307092.ece

BENITEZ DEFENDS LUCAS LEIVA
The Liverpool manager is standing by his Brazilian midfielder after hearing criticism of the player during a Q&A at a charity dinner last week. "People just don't know how good Lucas is," he said. "He is a fantastic player, he was captain of his club side at 19 and has already won full caps with Brazil. Not just any country, but Brazil. He has captained their under-21s and their Olympic team."
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/liverpool/article5307953.ece

GALLIANI WANTS BECKHAM TO STAY LONGER
The AC Milan vice-president remains hopeful that the LA Galaxy midfielder will stay with the Serie A club beyond his short-term loan stay that begins next month. "We hope he will fall in love and that sentiments prevail, but he has so many advertising contracts," he said.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/european_football/article5307006.ece

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE PREVIEWS: KEANE TO START
The striker looks certain to lead Liverpool's attack in their final Champions League group match at PSV Eindhoven tomorrow. He was left on the bench on Saturday for the 3-1 victory against Blackburn, but was in the party of 18 that travelled to Holland this morning.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/european_football/article5306802.ece

LIVE MATCH COMMENTARY: WEST HAM V TOTTENHAM
Harry Redknapp returns to his old stomping ground as manager of one of their biggest rivals. He will be hoping for a decent reception at Upton Park and more importantly for Luka Modric and Ledley King to pass fitness tests. Follow all the action from 8pm with our live scores and stats service.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/live_match_tracker/

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FREE MOBILE SERVICE TRIAL
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http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/tools_and_services/mobile_times/article4541324.ece
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If you've got another couple of minutes

The Debate: who should be the England goalkeeper?
Martin Samuel says that on form the best goalkeeper in the country is Robert Green, of West Ham. "As Fabio Capello, the England manager, is no fool and works with two goalkeeping coaches, one must presume he knows this," he writes. "Yet Green was missing from the last international squad, so remains sixth in line behind David James, Paul Robinson, Scott Carson, Joe Hart and Chris Kirkland." Have your say.
http://timesonline.typepad.com/thegame/2008/12/martin-samuels.html

World class winger?
Martin O'Neill, the Aston Villa manager, described Ashley Young as "an incredible footballer" after the 23-year-old scored twice in a pulsating 3-2 victory over Everton at Goodison Park yesterday. "I know I am eulogising, but he's a world-class footballer," O'Neill enthused. "He's absolutely sensational. He's incredible. He has the ability to produce in the big games and I'm ecstatic." Do you agree?
http://timesonline.typepad.com/thegame/2008/12/the-debate-is-a.html

Bouncebackability
Daredevil David Beckham has been bungie jumping off the Auckland Harbour Bridge during the LA Galaxy's tour of New Zealand. The midfielder plunged 130ft into icy water not once, but twice. It's reminiscent of his England career: just when you think it has gone as far as it can go, he springs back.

Sleep talking
Ray Wilkins on Phil Scolari: "When you are speaking in a foreign language day after day, it's not easy and he does get quite tired." What seemingly innocuous task leaves you surprisingly shattered?

E-mail: sport@timesonline.co.uk

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>>>>>THE TABLOID TALE<<<<<
Vinnie's rage - The Sun
What you need to know: 1) Vinnie Jones was glassed during a bar brawl in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. 2) The former football hardman was holidaying with British friends when he was involved in an argument with pool players. 3) Jones was later arrested in hospital on a charge of simple assault for his involvement in the fight. 4) Bar manager Craig Doohen said: "The whole thing was like a Wild West scene." 5) Jones's manager said the Hollywood actor is "fine" and will continue his trip. 6) Sioux City Police are studying CCTV footage of the incident. 7) Jones could face up to a year in jail if found guilty and a conviction will jeopardise his working visa in the US. 8) Surely, it's his acting that has been doing that?
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>>>>>OUR RIVALS<<<<<

Reid is ready - Daily Mail
The Thailand coach would love a second spell in charge of Sunderland should the Premier League strugglers approach him.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1092754/EXCLUSIVE-Former-boss-Peter-Reid-says-hes-man-rescue-Sunderland.html

Sam's right for Cats job, says Brown - Daily Star
However, Phil Brown, the Hull City manager, has urged Sunderland to install Sam Allardyce as their new boss.
http://www.dailystar.co.uk/football/view/61463/Sam-s-right-for-Cats-job-says-Brown/

Wenger in for Alonso again - Daily Mirror
The Arsenal manager is planning a £12m bid for the Liverpool midfielder in January to add strength and experience to his side.
http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/2008/12/08/arsenal-in-new-swoop-for-liverpool-star-xabi-alonso-exclusive-115875-20954236/

We'll shut Big Phil's big mouth - The Sun
FC Cluj players feel disrespected by Phil Scolari after he claimed that he would return to Brazil if Chelsea cannot beat the Romanian team and qualify for the Champions League knockout stages.
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/article2013679.ece

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1
Fulham team change in their past twelve league games, apart from a switch arising from Andrew Johnson's suspension. Read more of Bill Edgar's fascinating weekend stats: http://timesonline.typepad.com/thegame/2008/12/manchester-unit.html
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In TheGame

TheGame Podcast: Keane quit too soon
Gabriele Marcotti, Oliver Kay and Matt Hughes join Phill Jupitus to discuss the Irishman's departure from Sunderland and wonder if he will be perceived as damaged goods by potential employers, plus Matthew Syed is savaged by the team for suggesting that Sir Alex Ferguson retires. Download from 5pm
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/

Planet Jupitus: Ince needs to understand fans' anxiety
Phill is fed up with Paul Ince's claims that the media wants to see former Manchester United players such as him and Roy Keane fail as managers. "I understand the anxiety of Blackburn fans who don’t want to be in a relegation struggle," he writes. "They are the people that he should be explaining things to, rather than moaning to the press about how he's misunderstood."
http://timesonline.typepad.com/thegame/2008/12/inces-words-jus.html

Tony Cascarino's Fiver: booed players must improve
Our expert says that Paul Ince has had nearly half a season in charge at Blackburn to sort things out and that's longer than a lot of struggling managers get and he is not surprised that Emmanuel Eboué was booed by Arsenal fans considering his poor form over the last year.
http://timesonline.typepad.com/thegame/2008/12/tonys-fiver-its.html

Bill Edgar's daily quiz
In the autumn of 2002, which two second-tier teams were watched by fewer than 1,000 people in both of their meetings in the space of eight days at the same ground?
http://timesonline.typepad.com/thegame/2008/12/bill-edgars-mon.html

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Joe Bloggs' Soapbox

"I can't believe [Sir Alex] Ferguson can let Ronaldo behave like that, taking himself off. He is making the manager look a fool (and himself a tool)."
Thomas in Sydney reacts to the winger's decision to kick the ball into touch and walk straight down the tunnel a few minutes after suffering a knock to his leg, leaving Manchester United briefly with ten men against Sunderland as they hastily arranged a substitution.

And if that leaves you gob-smacked, read what Jens Tholstrup from Copenhagen has to say:

"Does anyone know why Daniel Agger isn't playing? He is the most gifted defender Liverpool, well probably all of Britain, has seen in the last 20 years; a defender that can actually defend, tackle and carry the ball forward. Carragher, Hyppia and Skrtel are good defenders, but no help going forward."

"Is there a man sexier than Cristiano Ronaldo or David Beckham? I love that they are completely comfortable with their masculinity that they experiment with grooming. Ten years ago Becks and Cris would have been beaten up - now ... bring it on!"
Lynne from Lane Cove in Australia doesn't realise that they both live in guarded mansions and are followed around by bouncers, otherwise...

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And expect...

Luis Felipe Scolari to fall asleep halfway through his Chelsea team talk tomorrow evening. Bless him.