FOWLER OUT UNTIL 1999
LIVERPOOL striker Robbie Fowler's knee injury is going to keep him out of action for the rest of the year, Anfield physio Mark Leather admitted yesterday. The England international damaged knee cartilage in a collision with Everton keeper Thomas Myhre in February, ruining his hopes of going to the World Cup. Now Leather has dashed his hopes of making it back for the start of the season in August: "There were some reports that he had visions of playing pre-season, but he certainly won't be playing before Christmas. That is the estimation at the moment."
HARD-UP Oldham are poised to sell 22-year-old England B full back Carl Serrant to Liverpool for around £2m. New Boundary Park manager Andy Ritchie said: "We have had calls from Liverpool and Carl won't be with us next season. He has refused a new contract - and I can't blame him."

BROLIN BOUNCED OUT
TUBBY Tomas Brolin has been released in the first stage of relegated Crystal Palace's summer clear-out. The Swedish international joined the club in January on a short-term contract in an attempt to revive his flagging career but was woefully short of form and fitness, didn't score in 15 appearances, and was not picked once relegation became certain. Patricio Billio, Rory Ginty, Richard Kennedy and David Stevens have also been shown the door.
PALACE could be playing in Europe this summer, thanks to Chelsea's victory in Wednesday's Cup-Winners' Cup Final. Aston Villa - the only Premiership team apart from the Eagles to express an interest in an InterToto Cup place - can now enter the UEFA Cup, leaving the way clear for the Selhurst Park outfit. They would need to win three two-legged matches to grab a place in the first round of the UEFA Cup.

WADDLE PLANNING SWANSONG
CHRIS WADDLE is pondering a comeback… as a player! The 37-year-old quit Burnley on Tuesday after the Clarets only escaped relegation with a win on the last day of the season. "I want to stay in the game,'' he admitted. ''I wasn't deterred by coming away from Burnley. If I can get a job in managing or coaching, so be it. But I've kept myself fit and I know I can still play. I know I can do a job for somebody. Look at Peter Reid. When he lost his Manchester City job, he went and played for two or three clubs before he went back into management.
Former Oldham boss Neil Warnock is an early contender for the vacancy at Turf Moor, but he faces stiff competition from former Everton and Rangers midfielder Trevor Steven and Everton goalkeeping coach Mervyn Day. Former Burnley players Brian Flynn and Stan Ternent, currently in charge at Wrexham and Bury respectively, are also in the frame.
Clarets chairman Frank Teasdale said: ''We won't be advertising the post. How quickly we decide is determined by how quickly the right man surfaces. If he surfaces tomorrow it will be tomorrow, but at the moment we don't know the general calibre of the applicant.''

BRUCIE BONUS FOR CANARIES
STEVE BRUCE could make an emotional return to Carrow Road as Norwich's new manager. The 37-year-old former Manchester United centre back, currently with Birmingham City, spent four seasons with the Canaries from 1984. It is thought Bruce will be offered the chance to lead the Norfolk club back into the Premiership within the next 10 days.

FERGIE TRACKING FOE
MANCHESTER United have revealed that their possible move for Marc Vivien Foe of new French champions Lens was still "on-going". Manager Alex Ferguson sees the Cameroon international midfielder as an ideal addition to his squad as he seeks to reclaim the Premiership title from Arsenal and launch another assault on the European Champions' League. United secretary Ken Ramsden said: "We haven't confirmed a deal with his club yet so there is no progress there. It is still on-going."

MURDO: 'I WANT CELTIC JOB'
CELTIC assistant coach Murdo MacLeod has confirmed he wants to succeed departing Wim Jansen as manager. The former Scotland international - who has previously managed Partick Thistle - arrived back from the club's friendly with Sporting Lisbon in Portugal and claimed: ''The first thing I'm going to do is go in and find out exactly what's going on. Things have to be sorted out right away. I definitely want to stay with the club and I'd be delighted to get the job as head coach. It has been an unbelievable time, going from one of the highest points of my career on Saturday to one of the lowest on Monday. I was hoping that winning the championship could have kept Wim here, but it was not to be.''

CLELAND IN CLARET
ASTON VILLA are lining up out-of-contract Rangers defender Alec Cleland as a potential replacement for Republic of Ireland international Steve Staunton, who has been set a deadline of June 1 to re-sign with the club or leave on a free. Manager John Gregory has also confirmed his interest in another Bosman free agent, Atletico Madrid defender Toni Munoz.

GRAYDON SADDLES UP
RAY GRAYDON has been named as Second Division Walsall's new boss following last week's controversial sacking of Jan Sorensen. Graydon was on the coaching staff at Port Vale before joining the Saddlers. The former Aston Villa player admitted the appointment, his first as a manager, had come as a shock: ''Having watched the events of last season, I was a little surprised the job became available. I was even more surprised that I was asked to apply for the job. I'm certainly excited about it. I spent some happy years in the Midlands a warm place with good support.''

DUNDEE STAYING AT HOME
SCOTTISH Premier new boys Dundee have confirmed they are staying on at Dens Park and will begin redevelopment of the ground next spring. Vice-chairman Derek Souter revealed that the first phase of the work will begin with the construction of new stands behind both goals. The club will try and get some home games against big clubs rescheduled to avoid needing to share neighbours Dundee United's ground.

MILLER'S CROSSING THE CHANNEL
ABERDEEN winger Joe Miller could be on his way after arranging a trial with French side Nancy. Miller will play for them against Belgium side RWB Molenbeek this weekend with Nancy coach Nicholas Holveck promising: ''If he does well, we will look at him again.''