Truths, Half Truths, and a moaning Frenchman

With the void presented by the international break, it’s worth picking up a few stories that slipped through the net in recent weeks:

Alan Shearer has taken the chance to have his hernia operated on, and will hopefully miss no more than one game on the road to recovery. Hurrah.

Worryingly, Steven Taylor may have dislocated his shoulder in training with the under 21’s. Bugger.

Amacrapfootballerdy Faye is allegedly wanted by West Ham and Wigan (haven’t they seen him play this season?) but is reported to be keen to stay and fight for his wage packet place. Shame.

On the subject of crap midfielders it has emerged that Nicky Butt has a clause in his contract that says he won’t join Birmingham City if they get relegated. It’s almost enough to hope Steve Bruce’s boys survive. Almost.

I suppose then Wigan could buy him, and West Ham could buy Faye, and then everyone goes home happy, while we spend the cash on Papa Bouba Diop (the latest Fulham player we've been linked to, presumably because they want a new contract rather than because we will actually go out and buy them).

Laurent Robert has apparently fallen out with all of his new colleagues at Portsmouth, and now claims they won’t pass to him – although fat Fred has already ruled out the prospect of him returning to SJP. Quelle suprise!