The Screamer - It's the talk of football

Austria star Scharner attacked Bruce for changing to direct tactics in the 1-1 draw against Manchester City — the manager's first game in charge.

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But Bruce said: "Despite what was said by a certain individual, there is no way I'm a long-ball merchant.

"It can become a bit negative when something like that develops and I was disappointed.

"Certainly I'll have a team that is highly competitive but never a long-ball side."

Scharner's outburst could cost him his place against Bolton on Sunday with Michael Brown looking for a recall to the side.

Former Everton boss Howard Kendall has put himself forward to become Republic of Ireland manager.

Kendall, 61, who won the league twice, the FA Cup and the European Cup-winners' Cup with Everton in the 1980s, has made enquiries about succeeding Steve Staunton and would like ex-England striker Peter Beardsley to be his No 2.

Terry Venables is considered favourite for the position but Kendall said: "I feel it would be perfect for me and for them."

Everton are monitoring £1.5million-rated Brann Bergen striker Thorstein Helstad, 30, who is a Norway international.

Manchester United defender Gerard Pique has decided to commit his immediate future to the Premier League champions despite a recent dressing down from assistant manager Carlos Queiroz.

Pique has spent the past fortnight mulling over his future after being told by Sir Alex Ferguson's No 2 that he had not been trying hard enough and that he had not made enough of recent opportunities in the first team.

At first sources close to the young Spaniard suggested he was resigned to a future away from Old Trafford and was ready to return to Spain.

La Liga giants Real Madrid and Barcelona as well as Real Betis and Real Sociedad all made enquiries about the 20-year-old's availability in the summer and the international central defender would not be short of offers if he decided to return to his homeland.

With Phil Bardsley likely to join Bryan Robson's Sheffield United in the Championship and Sunderland keen on Danny Simpson, Ferguson wants experienced cover at left back and will try to buy a player who can also function in the centre of defence.

Ledley King emerged unscathed from his first action of the season having undergone yet another knee operation in the summer.

The Tottenham captain played the first half of a reserve fixture at Fulham on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Spurs have failed in their attempt to have Robbie Keane's red card — for a foul on Birmingham's Fabrice Muamba on Sunday — rescinded after the FA rejected their appeal.