(Tuesday, May 12, 1998) -- Striker Andy Cole, who scored 25 goals for Manchester United this season, was left out of the England squad of 30 named by coach Glenn Hoddle for the final pre-World Cup warm-ups against Saudi Arabia (May 23), Morocco (May 27) and Belgium (May 29).

His omission means he has no chance of making the final World Cup squad of 22 to be named by June 2. There also was no place for Matt Le Tissier of Southampton, or Chris Sutton of Blackburn, who lost his chance after refusing to play for in a B international two months ago. Hoddle also overlooked the claims of Arsenal's much improved Ray Parlour.

But there was a recall for Tottenham's Darren Anderton, who has only just regained health after missing most of the season. Jamie Redknapp of Liverpool is included but his place depends on him being fully fit after being injured two weeks ago.

Goalkeepers: David Seaman (Arsenal), Tim Flowers (Blackburn), Nigel Martyn (Leeds), Ian Walker (Tottenham).
Defenders: Sol Campbell (Tottenham), Tony Adams (Arsenal), Martin Keown (Arsenal), Rio Ferdinand (West Ham), Gareth Southgate (Aston Villa), Gary Neville (Manchester United), Philip Neville (Manchester United), Graeme Le Saux (Chelsea), Andy Hinchcliffe (Sheffield Wednesday).
Midfielders: Darren Anderton (Tottenham), David Beckham (Manchester United), Nicky Butt (Manchester United), Robert Lee (Newcastle), Jamie Redknapp (Liverpool), Steve McManaman (Liverpool), Paul Ince (Liverpool), David Batty (Newcastle), Paul Merson (Middlesbrough), Paul Gascoigne (Middlesbrough), Paul Scholes (Manchester United).
Forwards: Alan Shearer (Newcastle), Les Ferdinand (Tottenham), Teddy Sheringham (Manchester United), Michael Owen (Liverpool), Dion Dublin (Coventry City), Ian Wright (Arsenal).

Real Madrid (Spain) defender Fernando Hierro limped out of the club's training session today with a sprained ankle, leaving club officials doubtful about the Spanish international's fitness for the European Champions League final May 20 against Juventus (Italy). He also has been named to the 22-man Spain national team for the World Cup.

Australia is considering a bid to host the 2010 World Cup finals, Soccer Australia chairman David Hill said. He said the nation also was looking at the possibility of hosting the Confederations Cup, which is played every two years between the various continental champions.

The United States hasn't said much publicly but the Americans also are reported to be considering a bid for the 2010 World Cup, following the success of the 1994 event here.

Stuttgart (Germany) officials said they believed Bulgarian midfielder Krasimir Balakov when he said he did not attack a journalist on a flight to Stockholm for the European Cup Winners' Cup final, scheduled Wednesday against Chelsea (England).

Stuttgarter Zeitung journalist Thomas Heid said his colleague Holger Gayer was slapped and head-butted during the flight Monday by Balakov, who took exception to something Gayer wrote.

German journalists who traveled on the plane said the incident appeared to have happened by the galley, so none of them were in a position to see it. They added that Gayer had returned home because he was upset.

Nigeria striker Emmanuel Amunike (Barcelona), struggling with injuries for several months, will be fit for the World Cup, according to the Spanish club. He is expected to be named to the squad by Coach Bora Milutinovic.

Midfielder Marcelo Gallardo, 22, has recovered from a tear in his left leg and could play in Argentina's match Thursday against Bosnia. He was injured April 15 during a 2-1 loss in Israel.

Colombia named a 22-player squad for the World Cup, led by midfielder Carlos Valderrama (Miami Fusion), who also started in the 1990 and 1994 tournaments. Not picked was 32-year-old defensive midfielder Leonel Alvarez (Dallas Burn), who played every minute of all seven games the past two World Cups but had not been called up in recent months. Among the selections was forward Antony De Avila, formerly with the New York/New Jersey MetroStars, now with Barcelona (Ecuador). He was a substitute in the 1994 World Cup.