GLENN UPSET AT LEGLESS GAZZA
GLENN ROEDER reportedly flipped his lid when told that Paul Gascoigne's appearance in Paul Walsh's testimonial at Fratton Park ten days ago came to a boozy end.
Gazza, according to one witness, could barely walk during the second half - not what Roeder, his old pal from Newcastle and employed by England boss Glenn Hoddle to look after the wayward midfielder star, wanted to hear.
It is alleged that the Boro man - so important to England's World Cup hopes - downed a pint of Guinness as the second half kicked off before later being hauled off so he could smoke a fag!

WRIGHT WAITS ON COPPING A CHARGE
IAN WRIGHT is still waiting to hear whether police will take action over his alleged public order offence - five months after the original claims of abusive behaviour were made. The 34-year-old is said to have launched a verbal assault on fans from the window of the Highbury dressing room after Arsenal lost 3-1 to Blackburn on December 13.
Police were told to press on with the case by the Crown Prosecution Service last month, and a file has now been sent back to the CPS for a final decision to be made. The key factor is if they have enough evidence to issue a summons for the Highbury record goalscorer to appear in court.

PALACE DELAY RUMBLES ON
DRAGGING on almost as long as the Wright case is Mark Goldberg's supposed takeover at Crystal Palace. It has stalled again - now there's a surprise! - to leave current chairman Ron Noades still in control.
According to a report in the Evening Standard, yesterday's deadline came and went without a satisfactory conclusion, the fifth time Goldberg has failed to come up with the goods. Noades is now back in the driving seat because their original agreement is no longer binding.
All of which leaves Terry Venables' future in doubt, he won't return to the club where his managerial career began unless Kent millionaire Goldberg is captain of the Selhurst Park ship. Gerry Francis, whose job offers have hit double figures since his exit from Tottenham, will be appointed should Noades decide against accepting Goldberg's £30m and stay put, rather than switching his interests to west Londoners Brentford.
Will this debacle ever end? Don't count on it.

WEBB OF CONFUSION AT SOUTHEND
THE Palace delay is having a knock-on effect at Brentford and Southend. Unhappy Griffin Park supremo David Webb, who has been harassed for months by equally disgruntled Bees fans, is desperate to sell to Noades and head back to his old manor, Roots Hall, and buy out current chairman Vic Jobson for around £3m. The snag? Noades may stay at Palace, after all.
That news will do little for Webb's frame of mind, which has been troubled by certain supporters camping outside his house in protest at the club's relegation into the Third Division. It's safe to say the former Chelsea hero will be off as soon as possible.
PETERBOROUGH boss Barry Fry is chasing his old Southend midfielder Phil Gridelet while fellow Shrimpers outcasts Andy Rammel and Andy Thompson are wanted by Northampton and Gillingham.

CLARK WANTED BY BORO
MIDDLESBROUGH want former Manchester City and Nottingham Forest manager Frank Clark to take control of their new £6m youth academy. Clark has had two interviews with Boro officials, including manager Bryan Robson. The promoted club are sick of losing out to Sunderland and Newcastle in the fight for talented local youngsters.

UEFA HAPPY IN AMSTERDAM
THE Champions League final between Juventus and Real Madrid will go ahead in Amsterdam next Wednesday as scheduled.
UEFA, European football's governing body, had threatened to move the game because the clubs couldn't get landing permission for their chartered flights but the problem has been solved.

READING DUO STAY ON
READING manager Tommy Burns is keeping Alan Pardew on his staff as first-team coach. Steve Kean and Kevin Dillon also retain their places on the backroom staff.

BAKER EYES SADDLERS POST
CREWE No 2 Neil Baker has thrown his hat into the ring for the vacant manager's job at Second Division Walsall, replacing the sacked Jan Sorensen. Baker, who has been at Gresty Road for four years, said: ''I believe I have the right sort of background, experience and ability.''