Crystal Palace striker Clinton Morrison has urged manager Iain Dowie and chairman Simon Jordan to resolve their differences for the sake of the club's future.

Speaking at the Republic of Ireland's training camp in the Algarve, Morrison has confirmed Jordan and Dowie were involved in a bust-up earlier this week, which could see the latter leaving Selhurst Park. Dowie has already been linked with Preston, as Billy Davies has been given permission to speak with Charlton regarding their managerial vacancy following Alan Curbishley's decision to quit The Valley. Morrison, for one, is hoping Dowie remains at the club, especially as he is the man who rescued him from his nightmare time at Birmingham.

SHEVCHENKO TO MAKE DECISION ON HIS FUTURE

AC Milan striker Andriy Shevchenko is set to make a decision on his future by the end of the week.

The Ukraine international announced earlier this month that he wanted to leave Milan after seven years at the San Siro, and Chelsea are keen to bring him to Stamford Bridge. However, Milan yesterday offered Shevchenko a two-year extension to his current contract, which ends on June 30, 2009, in an effort to keep him in Italy.

"I am evaluating [Milan's offer]. I will return to Italy and meet them very soon, " he said.

Shevchenko played down suggestions that he had already opted for a move to the Premiership, saying: "As I have said before, I have never stated that I have decided to go to Chelsea. I only said that I was evaluating that possibility for family reasons and to organise my future.

My time at Milan is special. The fans are special. And everyone in Milan is special.

ENGLAND CONFIDENT OF WIN IN SECOND TEST

England are insisting their failure to finish off Sri Lanka and win the first test at Lord's was not because they had become complacent.

Nine dropped catches enabled the tourists to survive 199 overs, despite following on 359 runs adrift, to salvage an unexpected draw.

"I've always said that whoever you play you face a fight . . . you can never take any test match with an easy attitude and show complacency, " said coach Duncan Fletcher. The second test begins at Edgbaston on Thursday with the selectors due to name their squad today.

PEDROSA TAKES POLE POSITION IN LE MANS

Rookie sensation Dani Pedrosa secured a brilliant pole position in the "nal seconds of qualifying for the French Moto GP Grand Prix at Le Mans today.

The Repsol Honda rider won just his fourth MotoGP race in China last weekend and followed that triumph with a stunning late show in France.

His lap of one minute 33.990 seconds came at the very end of the session and denied Kawasaki's Shinya Nakano a shock pole position. Pedrosa's late effort also robbed Bridgestone of a clean sweep of the top three after an impressive qualifying session.

Second-placed Nakano was the lead Bridgestone runner after the Japanese tyre giants had the edge on Michelin over one lap, with John Hopkins' Suzuki completing the front row. The other Kawasaki of home favourite Randy de Puniet starts fourth.

Bridgestone's form ensured an unusual look to the front of the grid and helped push reigning champion Valentino Rossi down to seventh on his Camel Yamaha.

GRONHOLM HANDS LOEB THE ADVANTAGE

Marcus Gronholm crashed out of the Rally of Italy early yesterday to hand world champion Sebastien Loeb an unassailable lead in Sardinia.

Ford driver Gronholm had led the rally from the first stage and started day two in fine form, winning stage seven.

But his hopes of a third win this season were ended on the following stage when he hit a rock, causing a terminal oil leak and ending his day early.

That left the way clear for Citroen driver Loeb to waltz into a one minute 55.3 second lead by the end of stage nine, meaning he only had to stay clear of trouble to record his fifth consecutive victory.