Alan Shearer's comeback from injury continued when he scored in a practice match yesterday - but he has ruled himself out of making his competitive comeback against Troyes in next Tuesday's Intertoto Cup final, preferring to concentrate on the league derby against Sunderland on Sunday week.
Shearer's goal - from the penalty spot - confirmed that he is close to full fitness after two operations on tendinitis in his knee. "There is a chance, maybe 50-50, that I can play some part against Sunderland," he said.
The former England captain played the full 90 minutes against a Newcastle reserve side, while Carl Cort played part of the match as he recuperates from an ankle injury. The Newcastle manager Bobby Robson hopes Cort will be available to face Chelsea on Saturday.
The Portsmouth director of football Harry Redknapp is trying to sign Yokohama and Japan goalkeeper Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi to replace Aaron Flahavan, who died in a car accident last week.
Redknapp was at Shizuoka's Ecopa Stadium yesterday to watch Kawaguchi, who would cost around £2m, as Japan beat Australia 3-0 to win the Asia-Oceania Challenge Cup.
Crystal Palace have been given the green light to sign the Australian international Toni Popovic after the centre-back's work permit was granted on appeal.
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