Graeme Souness will make a last-ditch bid to talk Alan Shearer out of retirement.

He is backing the former England skipper to score another bucketful of goals this season and is convinced Shearer can continue destroying Premiership defences for at least another year.

Souness said: "If Alan Shearer scores twenty goals this season then I will be plaguing him not to retire. If you have a striker who can get that for you, you bite their hand off." (Daily Mirror)

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Mark Hughes is set to be appointed Blackburn Rovers manager this week after being interviewed for the job yesterday, according to The Sun.

Hughes has reportedly told Blackburn directors that he definitely wants to take over, but he has asked them if he can remain part-time Wales chief for their next two internationals against England and Poland next month.

A close friend of Hughes is quoted as saying: "Mark has agonised over this month because he feels so loyal to Wales. But he is desperate to get into club management."

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Rafael Benitez revealed last night Real Madrid have assured him they are not interested in signing Steven Gerrard.

The Liverpool manager admits to concern at the speculation emanating from Spain, suggesting the Anfield skipper will be the next big-name target for the Spanish giants.

But Benitez has been told that is not the case. He said: "I have talked with them at Madrid and I am sure it is not true. They have assured me there is no truth in it." (Daily Mirror)

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Middlesbrough striker Mark Viduka is revelling in his new lease of life on Teeside.

Viduka, who joined 'Boro in the summer for £4.5m from trouble-torn Leeds, said:

"The last year has been quite difficult, but you have to get over these things and it makes you stronger - that’s my motto.

"You come in for training every day and it’s such a great atmosphere. All the boys are really, really good and everybody treats you well." (Daily Express)

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The sight of Wayne Rooney kicking a ball provided at least some good news for Sir Alex Ferguson yesterday after Gary Neville was ruled-out for a month with a hairline knee fracture, report the Daily Mail.

Rooney, recovering from a broken foot, could make his first Manchester United appearance against Middlesbrough on 03 October.

That would give him a chance to prove his fitness to Sven-Goran Eriksson ahead of England’s World Cup qualifier against Wales six days later.