ROONEY SEEKS TO DENT CHELSEA

Wayne Rooney is convinced Manchester United can inflict major psychological damage on Chelsea with victory at Old Trafford on Sunday.

Although Rooney was speaking before Jose Mourinho's shock departure from Stamford Bridge, he has noted the Blues' return of just a single point from their last two matches.

Another defeat this weekend would really leave Chelsea floundering and provide new boss Avram Grant with a major headache in his first few days in charge.

"If we can win, that would be Chelsea getting one point from nine in their last three games," Rooney told MUTV.

"You never know what that might do to their confidence.

"I know we didn't have the best of starts this season but it is amazing how quickly it has turned round.

"Now we have a chance to go three points in front of them, which makes it a massive game, even if it is not going to decide the title."

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MAGPIES KEEP TABS ON OWEN

Michael Owen's groin problem will be closely monitored by Newcastle as he attempts to avoid another bout of surgery.

The 27-year-old striker has been included in the squad for Sunday's Premier League clash with West Ham at St James' Park six days after limping off with a tight groin during the 1-0 defeat at Derby.

That may allay fears that the England frontman needs an operation to repair a hernia for now, with vital Euro 2008 qualifiers against Estonia and Russia coming up next month.

However, Magpies manager Sam Allardyce admits it is a situation which will have to be carefully managed to ensure Owen does not succumb once again.

He said: "When anybody gets anything where there is a slight tightening, then it's the beginning of a warning sign to say you need to make sure you find out what the problem is and then sort the problem out.

"You would manage that area more cautiously than anything else, and then take a view on a week-by-week basis and see how things are.

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JURGEN BLASTS SPURS - REPORT

Jurgen Klinsmann has reportedly told friends he will not manage Tottenham because they are "too small".

The German has been linked with a return to White Hart Lane as manager but is said to be uninterested in a club not playing in the Champions League - with Chelsea his destination of choice.

Tottenham boss Martin Jol has apparently been given six games to save his job after a 3-1 north London derby defeat pushed him closer to the exit door.

Sevilla coach Juande Ramos apparently remains Spurs chairman Daniel Levy's first choice, but Klinsmann has also been heavily backed.

However, a 'close friend' of the German apparently told the Daily Express: "Jurgen has told me he is not interested in becoming Tottenham manager.

"He thinks the club is too small for him and he will only return to England for a Champions League club.

"He met with Peter Kenyon in Los Angeles earlier this year and is still very, very interested in Chelsea. He thinks he has a good chance of getting the job if and when Mourinho leaves."

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STUBBS SWEET OVER EURO BID

Veteran defender Alan Stubbs believes Everton will go into their new European campaign "much wiser" than their last experience at that level.

Two seasons ago the Toffees were bounced out of the Champions League and then UEFA Cup qualifiers at the first stage and have suffered that embarrassment ever since.

But on Thursday, Everton face Metalist Kharkiv at Goodison Park in the first leg of their UEFA Cup first-round tie desperate to make amends.

Stubbs said: "This time round, hopefully we will be a bit wiser, a bit more experienced about how European football goes and we will take it from there and hopefully reach the group stages."

"Thursday is going to be a great night for the club again, but it will only be a great night if we get a good result. We're really looking forward to it but we know it will be a difficult game.

"The manager David Moyes and his assistant Alan Irvine have been over to Ukraine to watch them and they know it will not be an easy game at all. You do not get easy games in Europe.

"From my point of view, this will be my first game in Europe. To play for Everton full stop was something I never thought I would do, so to play for Everton in Europe would be a fantastic achievement."

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Hearts wingers in fitness race

Saulius Mikoliunas and David Cesnauskis are both struggling to be fit for the visit of Rangers after picking up hamstring strains in midweek. However, midfielder Laryea Kingston is available for the SPL match after returning from action with Ghana unscathed. By"http://www.football365.com"

Michael Stewart and Calum Elliot are both fit despite picking up knocks in the last outing against Motherwell.

Kick-off 12.30pm

Hearts (from): Banks, Neilson, Tall, Berra, Zaliukas, Wallace, Mikoliunas, Kingston, Jonsson, Stewart, Driver, Velicka, Elliot, Nade, Palazuelos, Ksanavicius, Ivaskevicius, Kurskis, Karipidis, Goncalves, Cesnauskis

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