Geoff Thompson, the acting FA chairman, yesterday said discussions will get under way within days after Keegan’s announcement last week that he wants the job. Speaking on Radio 5 Live, Thompson said: “We hope to have a meeting of the sub- committee responsible for it later this week, and clearly after our discussions then further discussions will take place with Kevin.”Thompson admitted that there are two camps within the FA over when the appointment should be made, with some suggesting that the keys to the kingdom should not be handed over until after the Euro 2000 qualifying campaign. “I think there’s a diversity of opinion, but only slightly,” he said. Asked if he thought the manager would be in place before June, he added: “I very much hope so.”Ronny Johnsen will try to play through the pain barrier for Manchester United in their treble chase before going in for a double knee operation next month.The versatile Norwegian has confirmed he will have surgery on both knees on 1 June, just days after the European Cup final against Bayern Munich in Barcelona. Johnsen has been suffering from a career-threatening condition known as “jumpers knee”. Other victims include the tennis player Steffi Graf while Brazilian Ronaldo has early signs of the injury. Johnsen, 30 next month, has been advised that surgery, which has a 70 per cent recovery rate, is necessary and has also been told to rest beforehand, but United need him for the title run-in.Tottenham are set to sign the Israeli international left back Najwan Gharib in a pounds 1.3m deal..

AN OWN-GOAL five minutes into injury time gave Milan a dramatic 3-2 win over 10-man Sampdoria yesterday and kept the second-placed side one-point behind the Serie A leaders, Lazio, in a tense Italian title race. Lazio won 3-0 at Udinese while Fiorentina, in third place, had their Argentinian striker Gabriel Batistuta sent-off in a 5-1 win over Perugia.
Milan looked destined for a routine victory at the San Siro when Massimo Ambrosini scored with a thunderous 20 yard shot after 17th minute, and Sampdoria defender Saliou Lassissi was sent off on the stroke of half- time. But Sampdoria continued to play with three defenders and were rewarded in the 60th minute when Vincenzo Montella met Marco Franceschetti’s corner with a header from the acutest of angles to equalise.With 10-man Sampdoria overrunning Milan’s midfield, the home side’s manager, Alberto Zaccheroni, sent-on Leonardo and the Brazilian responding by curling a superb free-kick beyond Fabrizio Ferron to restore the home side’s lead in the 79th.But the advantage was short-lived as sweeper Franceschetti met Pierre Laigle’s corner with a half-volley that left goalkeeper Christian Abbiati helpless in the 81st minute. In a dramatic finale, Maurizio Ganz missed an open goal before making amends five minutes into stoppage time when his shot from Ambrosini’s deep cross deflected off the hapless Marcello Castellini’s hand and wrong-footed Ferron.

“We will do the impossible to catch Lazio,” said Zaccheroni, looking ahead to next week’s match at Juventus.Juventus, meanwhile, had Zoran Mirkovic and Mark Iuliano dismissed and saw their hopes of qualifying for the Champions’ League virtually disappear with a 1-0 defeat at Salernitana.Feyenoord, who clinched the Dutch league title last week, were brought crashing back to earth when they were demolished 6-0 by their arch rivals, Ajax, yesterday. Ajax, who were league champions last season but have had a poor season by their own high standards this term, demolished their old rivals to improve their hopes of a European place.Real Madrid took back second place in the Spanish First Division on Saturday as they recovered from a dispiriting seven days to beat Espanyol 2-0. Fernando Morientes scored both goals in the first half as John Toshack’s inconsistent side, held to a dismal 1-1 draw at Salamanca last weekend and further unsettled by a string of stories of player unrest, rediscovered a little poise.. WALSALL SECURED automatic promotion from the Second Division, alongside Fulham, by beating Oldham 3-1 at the Bescot Stadium on Saturday. Darren Wrack, Chris Marsh and Siggi Eyjolfsson got the goals to give manager Ray Graydon promotion in his first season in charge. Cardiff and Brentford made sure of promotion to the Second Division while the Football League’s bottom club, Scarborough, live to fight another day following their win at Halifax. With Cambridge already promoted, Cardiff needed just a point from their game with Scunthorpe at Ninian Park and more than 12,000 joined in the party as the Bluebirds drew 0-0.
Brentford were also able to celebrate on home soil after they demolished Exeter 3-0 at Griffin Park.

Robert Quinn opened the scoring from the edge of the box after Paul Evans’ 35-yard free-kick had only been partially cleared. The Bees doubled their lead when Andy Scott scored shortly after half-time and Scott Partridge wrapped up the victory.Two goals from Trevor Benjamin kept Cambridge on the championship trail at Plymouth, for whom an own goal from Scott Eustace and a second-half Glen Crowe strike earned a 2-2 draw.. WITH CHAOS and clutter breaking out at every turn the last months of the 20th century have not been a good time for those seeking order and certainty like Alec Stewart, England’s captain, opening bat and wicketkeeper. Drastically short of runs himself, and with most of his team looking as rusty and washed-up as a scuppered Liberian tanker during their pre-season tour of Sharjah, the omens of England lifting the World Cup for the first time are not looking promising.