English Football Briefs

Reds in for Alves Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez is being linked to a January move for Dutch club Heerenveen’s Brazilian front man Afonso Alves.

The rumours are bound to fuel rumours that Peter Crouch is on his way out of Anfield but Alves will not come cheap after his seven-goal exploit in his club’s 9-0 victory over Heracles Almelo at the weekend. The 26-year-old forward was signed form Swedish side Malmo before the start of last season and went on to score 34 goals in 31 league games and was named the Netherlands’ player of the year.Alves has seven caps for Brazil.D-Day looming for Alonso Xabi Alonso has set his sights on a return to action in Liverpool’s derby clash with Everton later this month as he completes his recovery from a broken metatarsal.”There is a chance at this moment that I could be OK for the derby,” Alonso said.”If I am pain-free next week then maybe I could be involved but it’s still really too early to say.”Reds boss Rafael Benitez is also looking forward to welcoming fellow metatarsal victim Daniel Agger back to the squad around the same time.Palace turn to Warnock Struggling Championship side Crystal Palace have called a press conference for Thursday at which Neil Warnock is expected to be confirmed as the successor to sacked manager Peter Taylor.Warnock has been out of work since leaving Sheffield United at the end of last season in the wake of their relegation from the Premier League.Delia going nowhere Delia Smith, the cookery writer who is the biggest shareholder in Norwich City, has moved to quash rumours she is on the verge of quitting the Championship club in the wake of their disappointing start to the season.The Canaries poor form cost Peter Grant the manager’s job earlier this week but Smith will not be selling out, according to chief executive Neil Doncaster.Nampa-AFPThe 26-year-old forward was signed form Swedish side Malmo before the start of last season and went on to score 34 goals in 31 league games and was named the Netherlands’ player of the year.Alves has seven caps for Brazil.D-Day looming for Alonso Xabi Alonso has set his sights on a return to action in Liverpool’s derby clash with Everton later this month as he completes his recovery from a broken metatarsal.”There is a chance at this moment that I could be OK for the derby,” Alonso said.”If I am pain-free next week then maybe I could be involved but it’s still really too early to say.”Reds boss Rafael Benitez is also looking forward to welcoming fellow metatarsal victim Daniel Agger back to the squad around the same time. Palace turn to Warnock Struggling Championship side Crystal Palace have called a press conference for Thursday at which Neil Warnock is expected to be confirmed as the successor to sacked manager Peter Taylor.Warnock has been out of work since leaving Sheffield United at the end of last season in the wake of their relegation from the Premier League. Delia going nowhere Delia Smith, the cookery writer who is the biggest shareholder in Norwich City, has moved to quash rumours she is on the verge of quitting the Championship club in the wake of their disappointing start to the season.The Canaries poor form cost Peter Grant the manager’s job earlier this week but Smith will not be selling out, according to chief executive Neil Doncaster.Nampa-AFP