Nadal signed a new three-year contract in the summer and if they are not prepared to release him I am afraid that is the end of the story."Roy Keane, who has not played for United since the opening game of the season after having a cartilage operation, will be in the starting line- up at Aston Villa on Saturday, providing the midfielder successfully came through his reserve game last night.Keane's return comes just when Tottenham's Darren Anderton is contemplating five weeks out to recover from a hernia operation.The player and his club know that surgery is necessary, the only question is when. Anderton, who made only six Premiership appearances last season, is prepared to soldier on and not add to Spurs injury list. "In the circumstances, our hands are tied and there is nothing more we can do. Souness has also agreed a deal with Sporting Lisbon to bring the pounds 1.8m-rated Portuguese striker Paolo Alves to The Dell for a year on loan. Barcelona appear to have put Miguel "The Beast" Nadal back in his Nou Camp cage even though the defender is keen on a move to Manchester United."Nadal now feels he would benefit his career with a move to Old Trafford but Barcelona have had a change of heart and now say they are not prepared to sanction his transfer," Martin Edwards, the United chairman, said. The Southampton manager hopes that Maccabi Tel Aviv will accept his offer of pounds 1.2m for Berkovitch, who has 40 caps. Substitute not used: R Kelly.Referee: P Taylor (Cheshunt, Herts).More reports, results, page 27.
Graeme Souness' overseas search for reinforcements to bring Southampton their first Premiership victory looks to have settled on the Israeli international midfielder Eyal Berkovitch. Gary Twynham sent the substitute clear with 17 minutes remaining, and he rounded Nigel Martyn before scoring. On Saturday, Graham's testing return continues at home to another useful outfit from the North-east, Newcastle. "It's not easy," he said with a smile, "but it beats being unemployed.''Leeds United (4-4-2) Martyn; G Kelly, Wetherall, Jobson, Harte; Gray (Blunt, 82), Couzens, Ford, Sharpe; Wallace, Rush. Substitutes not used: Radebe, Beeney (gk).Darlington (4-4-2): Newell; Brumwell, Crosby, Gregan, Barnard; Twynham (Brydon, 82), Atkinson, Oliver, Carss; Blake (Painter, 67), Roberts.
Gary Kelly's pass was glanced on by Rush to Wallace, who beat Newell with an angled shot from eight yards.Painter's introduction put the writing on the wall for Leeds. However, Darlington's brisk counter-attacking earned its reward five minutes from half time, even if Roberts looked offside when he converted Anthony Carss' pass.Rush had an overhead kick cleared off the line by Brian Atkinson before Leeds regained the initiative early in the second half. It's always difficult when you're putting in a lot of young squad players. It's just a pity they're not coming into a nice, settled team.
They're looking around and seeing lads as young as themselves rather than experienced senior players.''With the on-loan Mark Hateley joining a long casualty list, Graham switched Wallace to the front line. He responded with a display full of running and invention, richly deserving of his first goals since February. But Ian Rush spurned several chances to claim the goal he needs to equal Geoff Hurst's League Cup record of 49.Compared with their start at Coventry, when they were ahead in 51 seconds, Leeds were almost sluggish in capitalising on a bright start. Rush ballooned over from four yards after an Andy Couzens cross, and they had to wait until the 15th minute for the breakthrough.Lee Sharpe, at 25 the old man of midfield, set up Wallace 15 yards out A curling shot gave Paul Newell no chance.