BITS AND BOBS

Last updated : 18 May 2006 By Ed

* The Sun:

Brian Kidd is poised for a shock return to football at Norwich.

The former Manchester United assistant boss is looking to get back into coaching after winning his battle with prostate cancer.

And Canaries chief Nigel Worthington wants Kidd, 56, to join him at Carrow Road as his assistant after coach Steve Foley was sacked a fortnight ago.


* The Diarra piece from the MEN:

United's priority midfield target Mahamadou Diarra has been urged by his Mali mentor to sign for the Reds.

Salif Keita is the president of the Mali FA and has the midfielder's ear. Sire Diallom, another former Mali international, who works for Keita at their FA, said:

"I think if Mahamadou was given the choice then he would join United if he leaves Lyon. He has called Salif to ask him his opinion and which team he thinks would be appropriate to his talent. I believe Keita has said United."

Diallom is confident that the Lyon lynchpin will fit the bill for Fergie.

"I liked Roy Keane. He is a big player to replace. ut I am pretty sure that Mahamadou can do the job. Because of the language difficulty he might not be a leader vocally but he can inspire with his work on the field."


* Reuters:

Park Ji-sung is likely to miss South Korea's World Cup warm-up match against Senegal on May 23 due to injury, coach Dick Advocaat said.

The Manchester United midfielder is still recovering from an ankle injury sustained in a Premier League match just over two weeks ago.


* The Indie report that Chelsea will offer around £34m to Milan for Shevchenko with Glallas and Crespo going the other way.

* Spurs spend much as Dimitar Berbatov moves from Bayer leverkusen for £10.9m.


* Thierry Henry:

"I was kicked all over the place. Carles Puyol and Rafael Marquez should have got yellow cards. To defend against me with a yellow card - it's not the same game any more. I expected the referee to do his job. I don't think he did. It was a clear sending-off for Jens but if they didn't want us to win, just should have just said it from the start. It was more than difficult. Next time I'm going to learn how to dive maybe. Everyone was talking about Ronaldinho before the game. I didn't see him today or and I didn't see Eto'o.

"Sometimes some calls in the game were a bit strange. Some of the referee's decisions today were horrendous. Next time I should learn how to dive maybe but I'm not a woman so I stay on my feet. I expect the referee to do his job but I don't think he did."