Southampton defender Dean Richards is hoping to return for Sunday's Premiership clash at Newcastle.

Richards missed the FA Cup defeat at Aston Villa last weekend with ankle and Achilles problems.

But the former Bradford defender has told manager Dave Jones he will be available to help Saints deal with the threat of Alan Shearer and Duncan Ferguson.

Richards likely to replace the now-injured Claus Lundekvam said: "It was the ankle rather than the Achilles that kept me out at Aston Villa but hopefully that will be okay by Sunday."

Larsson to play on despite steel pin

Celtic striker Henrik Larsson is planning to play out his career with a steel pin in his right leg.

The 28-year-old is currently recovering from a double fracture suffered in the UEFA Cup first leg match against Lyon last October.

Larsson insists he won't play again this season and that would rule him out of Sweden's participation in Euro 2000.

"I can't feel the pin but I can feel the screw. However I intend to keep the pin until I finish playing.

"When I suffered the injury I knew it would take about nine months to recover, so I have about six months to go."

Scottish FA to manage Hampden

Any rescue deal for Hampden Park must involve the management of the stadium being passed to the Scottish FA, according to sports minister Sam Galbraith.

In a statement to the Scottish Parliament, Galbraith said negotiations between the co-funders of the rescue package and interim managers for owners Queen's Park had gone reasonably well.

However, it is believed the loss of control over Hampden has been one of Queen's Park's major complaints.

SFA chief executive David Taylor welcomed the minister's statement, adding:

"We look forward to a speedy resolution of the difficulties that have arisen this week."

Taylor said an SFA subsidiary would run Hampden as a "vibrant business that Scotland can be proud of."

Strachan breaks silence on Ferguson's autobiography

Gordon Strachan has become the latest man to slate Sir Alex Ferguson over the Manchester United manager's controversial autobiography.

Earlier this week, former united goalkeeper Jim Leighton claimed Ferguson had "caused a lot of hurt" to various football figures, including himself.

"His book should have been a celebration of his achievements, it should have been positive. Strachan told the Daily Record.

"But he chose to use it as something else. He had a different agenda."

Strachan was sold to Leeds by Ferguson in 1989 and came back to haunt his old boss by snatching the 1992 League title for the Yorkshire outfit after the Red Devils had looked certain to break their 25-year championship drought.

Worthington Cup Semi-Finals

Aston Villa v Leicester

25th January and 1st February

Tranmere v Bolton

2nd leg 26th January