Football Talk

Bradford-born Ellington has new goal to play for Bosnia
Bosnian football chiefs have pledged to consider any application from Watford striker Nathan Ellington to represent them at international level. The 26-year-old, who was born in Bradford, has a Bosnian wife and wants to play for the Balkan nation after enjoying a summer holiday there last year.
A spokesperson for the Bosnia and Herzegovina FA said: "I have seen reports on television that he wants to play for Bosnia. Every day we get letters from overseas players wanting to play for our country and it is up to the coaches to decide."
Ellington, nicknamed The Duke, said: "I adore Bosnia and Herzegovina. My wife and I visited Sarajevo and several other places and I was fascinated by the beauty of the country. Now I hope that contact with the Bosnian FA will be made soon. In the last few days, my wife has been looking at what I have to do to become a citizen. As soon as I get all the papers, I will fill in the application for a new passport."

All may not be right for Reed
Conspicuous by his absence from the Fulham backroom team at Blackburn was technical director Les Reed. The former Charlton manager was said to be on a scouting mission at another match. Reed's position at Craven Cottage is under scrutiny after his methods were questioned following the departure of head of youth John Murtough. Both Murtough and chief scout Andy Thorn, who is also on his way, have been linked with Coventry City where former Fulham boss Chris Coleman is manager.

Potts finds new direction in life
In the week that some West Ham fans were demanding a taxi for Alan Curbishley, it emerged that two Upton Park stars of the 1980s are now London cab drivers. Former midfielder Alan Dickens decided to do the "Knowledge" on retiring from the game and then persuaded popular defender Steve Potts to follow suit. Potts, 40, will be putting his navigational skills of the capital's streets to good use on 13 April when he runs in the London Marathon to raise money for leukaemia research. Meanwhile, West Ham fans were far from impressed with the official steward at White Hart Lane on Sunday who gave them a 2-0 salute as Spurs gained the upper hand.

Sugar was sweet, says Ardiles
A soft centre to Apprentice hardman Sir Alan Sugar is revealed by Ossie Ardiles. The Argentine was sacked as Spurs' manager during Sugar's spell as chairman, but the Amstrad founder stopped short of delivering his "You're fired!" catchphrase. Ardiles told FourFourTwo: "Happily it was not his catchphrase at the time. He was a good friend and said he was mortified when he sacked me. His words came from his heart."

City go cold without a Jackett
Are Millwall to blame for Manchester City's horrendous slide down the Premier League? The Lions recruited manager Kenny Jackett from City's coaching staff in early November and it's been all downhill for Sven-Goran Eriksson's side since. Prior to leaving Eastlands, the Premier League side had won 11 of their 15 games. Since losing their Jackett, the club have only won five in 21 and slumped to a 2-0 defeat at Reading on Saturday.

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