The Rumour Mill - Monday Sept 10

• KEN Bates has insisted he is not about to sell Leeds to former Newcastle chairman Freddy Shepherd.

But Bates has confirmed he has held preliminary talks with Shepherd about the possibility of future investment.

• BILLY Davies is heading for showdown talks with his Derby County bosses this week - and may make an astonishing move to Leicester City, reports The Mirror. The Scot has been unhappy with the board at Derby County for some time.

• BIRMINGHAM boss Steve Bruce is on the brink of bringing Darius Vassell to the club. He is believed to be lining up an offer in excess of a million pounds for the 27-year-old.

• WEST Ham boss Alan Curbishley will make a move for Arsenal's unhappy Danish striker Nicklas Bendtner in the next transfer window, reports The Mirror.

Bendtner signed a new deal with the Gunners after a loan spell at Birmingham had created huge interest with some of Europe's leading clubs.

• MICHAEL Ballack says he is disappointed at being left out of Chelsea's Champions League squad, reports The Sun. He said: "I am disappointed but I have to accept it and focus on getting healthy."

• ON Sunday The Observer reported that Luiz Felipe Scolari still wants to manage England and would be open to negotiation were the Football Association to ask him to replace Steve McClaren.