FOOTBALL SHORTS

PRESTON chairman Peter Ridsdale insists that Graham Westley’s job is safe despite the manager’s worsening relationship with some of his players. Westley accused four members of his squad of leaking details about team selection to opponents Sheffield Wednesday. However, Ridsdale has backed the man he appointed in January, following a series of meetings with the players. He said: ‘All I can tell you is this club 100 per cent supports the manager.’

Relegationthreatened Wolves received a double blow yesterday when they learned Jamie O’hara and Jody Craddock will miss the rest of the season through injury. O’hara has had a hernia operation and Craddock has undergone surgery on a hamstring. RANGERS’ administrators expect up to five bids for the club before today’s deadline for final offers. Brian Kennedy, owner of rugby union club Sale Sharks, is reportedly weighing up an offer.

JERMAINE BECKFORD could be up for grabs this summer after a spat with Leicester boss Nigel Pearson. The striker disobeyed instructions during the defeat by Peterborough on Saturday and Pearson said: ‘I wasn’t happy and I will deal with those sorts of things internally.’ DERBY COUNTY are to open contract talks with Paul Green and Jamie Ward. The club posted a £7.7m loss for the last financial year.

AN injury-time equaliser from West Bromwich defender Callum Jones helped England’s Under 16s to a 1-1 draw with Japan in the opening match of the Montaigu Tournament in France last night. FORMER Arsenal Ladies striker Kelly Smith faces a race to make the Great Britain Olympic squad after aggravating an ankle injury while kicking a ball in a video shoot.