The Welsh international - who missed Tuesday's 3-0 defeat by Brazil at the Millennium Stadium because of a knee injury - says he has no intention of leaving.

Everton, Middlesbrough and Sunderland have all been linked with the former Crystal Palace player in recent weeks.

But Coleman said: "I've read the papers but I know nothing about a move," he said. "I'm Fulham's captain and that's the way I want things to stay."

"Providing everything goes well with the new manager, which I've no doubt it will do, I'm happy to stay here."

Commitment

Coleman's commitment to the cause must be welcome news for Jean Tigana as he tries to build a side capable of reaching the Premiership.

The new boss has indicated that he will be looking to bring some younger faces to the club during the close season.

He has been linked with French striker Sylvian Wiltford - also a target for Premiership runners-up Arsenal - but Bordeaux say Wiltford is not for sale.

Tigana says it will be "difficult but possible" to bring in new signings from France.

But he will be looking to speed up the way which Fulham play - which will come as a welcome relief to supporters who had to put up with some lethargic performances last season.

"My philosophy is the same in French or English," said Tigana, "quick football with technique."

Expect most of Tigana's signings to be midfielders or attackers - even though he insists the reasons for Fulham's failings in front of goal last season were collective rather than individual.

"Defensively we are a good team," he said.

Meanwhile, Newcastle manager Bobby Robson is reportedly keen to take Fulham midfielder Lee Clark back to St James' Park.

The former England under 21 midfielder started his career with Newcastle and also supported the club as a boy.

It is suggested that Didier Domi, a 21-year-old defender, could arrive at Fulham as part of the deal.

l Fulham are to launch their new away kit in July.

Goalden moment

A young Tooting schoolboy has gone down in the record books with the fastest goal in European football history - scored at Arsenal's Highbury stadium.

Owen Price, 14, of Harcourt Road, earned the accolade whilst playing for Ernest Bevin School in the English Schools Cup Final against Barking Abbey.

The goal, timed at 4.3 seconds, went down as the second fastest in the history of football. Uruguayan player Richardo Oliveria's 2.8 second goal still remains the fastest to be recorded.

Price, who signed for Spurs after a chance meeting with technical director David Pleat is thought to be overjoyed at joining the North London giants.

Steve King, a scout with Wimbledon insists that his nephew has got the world at his feet, but admits that pace is the main weakness in his game.

Rowan delight

Over 250 local athletes competed in this year's high school championships at Wimbledon Park in warm, sunny conditions.

All the LEAs eligible schools took part plus the two main independent schools and Merton College.

On the girls side Rowan scored two upset wins in the junior and intermediate sections. In the former Wimbledon High nearly caused a major upset by holding a slender lead for most of the day but Rowans' wins in the final two events including a crushing relay victory saw them through by just three points.

It was even closer in the intermediates with only 1.5 points separating them from old rivals Ricards. Wimbledon College made a clean sweep of the three boys age groups by clear margins whilst Kings College gained some consolation by capturing the relay cup with Tamworth Manor likewise in the Mixed High Schools section.

Individually Kenny Frempong of Wimbledon College set the track alight with his third consecutive championship best in the sprint hurdles in 14.1secs. Team mate Omar Durrani came second.

Lucy Marland gained a superb 800/1500m junior girls double with excellent times. Bishopsford schoolmate Kelly Savile won the inter 800m in a personal best time.

Easy but classy wins were notched up by Ricards pupils Jade Lucas-Read and Leane Harvey in the inter 100m and 1500m respectively.

Best Rowan competitor was Aisha Myton with her national standard hurdles win though her main event is now the recently introduced triple jump event where she is favourite for the Surrey title on June 10.

Eastfields School's Shane Hylton's won the inter 1500m. Shane is the first middle distance winner for Eastfields for six years whilst he also placed second in the 800m.

Leading competitors for the above meeting will represent the borough in the Surrey Schools on June 10 at the Kingsmeadow stadium.

Win tickets for the dogs

The biggest night of the greyhound season is fast approaching - and you could be a VIP guest at the big night.

All eyes will be on the Wimbledon stadium in Plough Lane on Saturday, June 3 when it plays host to the William Hill Greyhound Derby.

The lucky winner of our competition will get the full VIP treatment as well as £100 worth of free bets.

Even if you aren't lucky enough to win, some runners-up prizes are also up for grabs.

The move to make this year's Derby earlier - avoiding a clash with football's Euro 2000 - has proved a huge hit with fans who have flocked to Plough Lane.

Mike Raper, general manager at Wimbledon, said: "People have said to met that they are proud that the biggest greyhound race in the world takes place in Wimbledon and would come to support whenever the competition is staged."

To be in with a chance of winning, simply answer this question.

Which celebrity owns Derby contender Smoking Bullet?

Send it to VIP Greyhound Competition, Sports Desk, Unecol House, 819 London Road, North Cheam, SM3 9BN, or e-mail sports@ london. newsquest.co.uk

Please remember to include your name, address and telephone number.

Setback for Dons

Wimbledon's stuttering season suffered another set back with a losing draw against near neighbours Sutton at Church Road.

Having put Sutton in to bat, the away side amassed 126 for 2 by lunch, with Mike Carberry (34) ably supported by man-of-the-match Richard Mansfield.

Wimbledon started the afternoon well with Wileman and Pearson containing Sutton well with accurate spells of bowling. But Mark Newell's 45 meant Sutton finished their 66 overs on 222 for 9.

Chasing 223 in 59 overs Wimbledon made a good start. Wileman, supported by Carter batted well.

But the final session began with Wimbledon on the back foot and Henderson Clark and Kervyn Marc left them hanging on to save the match in the final four overs.

But Wimbledon held out for a draw, finishing on 181 for 8 from their 59 overs.

Vinny hopes for derby glory

The race to reach the final of the greyhound derby on June 3 is really hotting up after the latest round of heats last weekend.

Former Wimbledon midfielder turned film star Vinny Jones's greyhound - Smoking Bullet - breezed into the last 48, blazing his way to victory in heat seven.

Having only qualified by the narrowest of margins in the previous rounds, Smoking Bullet came good when he needed to.

Jones said: "That's the first time I have ever seen him win, but I was delighted to see him break so quickly.

"I'm more than hopeful that if he continues to improve, he's got a real chance of going all the way."

But Smoking Bullet will not have it all his own way in the run up to the final. Rio Riccardo is another looking a good bet to reach the latter stages of the competition and last years third placed greyhound Deerfield Sunset is handily placed after a steady run of form.

Crowds

So far the heats have proved a great success with the crowds. With increases of 20 per cent.

Wimbledon general manager Mike Raper insisted that the decision to reschedule the final to the beginning of June was the right move.

He said: "We have been delighted that the move has proven so popular.

"I think that the people in the area of Wimbledon recognise that it's an honour and a privilege to stage the event here."