Viduka not likely to play in A-League
The chances of Mark Viduka playing in the A-League look very slim according to sources close to the striker.
The ex-Celtic, Leeds, Middlesbrough and Newcastle goalscorer has recently been linked with a return to Australia to play in the A-League but it seems as though he is happy doing his thing in Croatia with his family.
"I think you will find he has come back to visit his family and to catch up with friends," a source said. "Mark is apparently enjoying life without football, and it shows.
"If he wanted to continue playing I am sure he would still be in Europe and he would be doing it to stay in shape to play for the Socceroos at the World Cup.
"The thing is, Mark has nothing to prove any more. He has a (Croatian) wife (Ivana), three wonderful kids and an extensive property portfolio in Croatia. I think you'll find he will continue to live in Croatia and enjoy the lifestyle there."
Viduka was linked with a move to incoming A-League club Melbourne Heart but it now looks as though his time in the game is up after a stellar career where he scored 162 goals in 361 games.
Ex-Portsmouth boss Hart in frame for Man City move
Former Portsmouth boss Paul Hart is being linked with Manchester City.
The News of the World says the defeat of City's youngsters in the FA Youth Cup at Preston last weekend has led to talk of former Portsmouth manager Hart being called in to work with the youth team.
Hart is close to technical development manager Brian Kidd and is being lined up for a role at Eastlands.
Youth team coach Scott Sellars has been blamed for the club's cup exit, although he is on a steep learning curve at City.
Hart has yet to be offered a job by City, but he recently turned down Pompey's offer to make him director of football.
Hart earned his reputation in the game working with kids and his was the name on everyone's lips at City's training ground last week.
Bowyer's reputation means no England World Cup call up
Birmingham City midfielder Lee Bowyer admits his reputation will prevent him playing in next year's World Cup.
Bowyer has scored five times this season, including the winner in the Blues' last two games, but the 32-year-old knows that problems from his past mean he will never play for England.
The midfielder hit the headlines when he was forced to attend two trials alongside Leeds team-mate Jonathan Woodgate following an attack on a student in the city in 2000.
Woodgate was convicted of affray and ordered to do community service, while Bowyer was acquitted of both affray and causing grievous bodily harm.
"I could score 20 goals this season but there is absolutely no way I am going to be on that plane to the World Cup. No way whatsoever," Bowyer told The Guardian.
"There are too many people who have made up their minds about me and wouldn't want me anywhere near the England team."
Sven-Goran Eriksson gave him his only England cap, in a friendly against Portugal in September 2002.
"It was a brave thing for an England manager to do at that time, but everything was dredged up in the media and, after that, I didn't get another look-in," Bowyer added.
"I've got one cap but it should have been 20 or 30, maybe even more, and that's not me being big-headed. I just think I deserved to play for England a lot more.
"I got three player-of-the-year awards at Leeds in a side that got to the semi-finals of the Champions League. I scored six goals in the competition, which made me the joint top scorer, and Uefa put me in their team of the tournament.
"But I got nothing in England. Instead they just brought in some rule from nowhere that said a footballer shouldn't be allowed to play for England if they were involved in a court case.
"I thought there was a saying in this country that you were innocent until proven guilty. I was the exception. I was seen as guilty even though I was innocent. And that's what I was - innocent.
"But they made up this new rule that had never been used before and that seems to have been mysteriously dropped now. It was like a campaign to keep me out.
"There have been loads of players who have had problems, court cases etc, outside of football and they have still been allowed to have international careers without always being reminded of it.
"Some have even captained England. But it's one rule for them, and another for me."
Villa hero Daley pays tribute to ex-Man Utd fullback Irwin
Aston Villa hero Tony Daley says former Manchester United fullback Denis Irwin was his toughest opponent.
Daley is now fitness coach at Wolves.
And when asked his toughest opponent, he told the Sunday Times: "Denis Irwin of Manchester United. The other one was Tony Dorigo but, fortunately, he joined me at Villa. I didn’t get any change out of Denis. I would get past him but all of a sudden, he would get a tackle in or get the ball off you. He was like a rash. "