Round-up

Things are looking increasingly desperate on the Michael Owen front, with Fat Sam admitting that there's little he can do to prevent the striker leaving if an attractive offer comes in. Of course, Allardyce's talk of the release clause in Owen's contract is doubly disquieting because Fat Fred flatly denied its existence only a few weeks ago...

Today's Mirror has us linked with Barcelona forward Ludovic Giuly. The French international, who rose to prominence during Monaco's run to the Champions League final in 2003-4, certainly wouldn't be a bad acquisition but, as a 30-year-old, it would depend on the size of the fee and the length of his contract - and at present the only evidence of our interest appears to be the claims of his agent.

Meanwhile, free agent Tal Ben Haim is still torn between following his former manager to St James' Park and winning silverware while sitting on the bench at Chelsea - and has apparently enlisted the assistance of Uri Geller to help him reach a decision. And I thought Fat Sam was only interested in players of sound mind and psychological make-up?

Good news with regard to the Tonto Press book 'Wor Al', to which both Paul and I contributed - the publishers have been able to hand over another cheque for £1500 to Alan Shearer's chosen charity the NSPCC. 50p of the cost of every book sold goes directly to them, and you can buy your copy here if you haven't already done so.

Lastly, it's exactly 50 years to the day since legendary Toon centre forward Hughie Gallagher committed suicide by throwing himself in front of a train. Tough nut Gallagher may have been famed for hard drinking, brawling and licentious lifestyle (next time someone tells you such things have only blighted the beautiful game in recent years, don't believe them), but he was also a tremendously talented player.