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Hoddle defuses bust-up talk

GLENN HODDLE has attempted to play down talk of training ground bust-ups involving defender Stephen Carr and striker Steffen Iversen.

Republic of Ireland international Carr, who missed much of last season with a knee injury, was rumoured to have had a major confrontation with one of Hoddle`s back-room staff.

Norwegian marksman Iversen, meanwhile, was said to have had a blazing row with Hoddle during a training session, but the former England manager has dismissed the stories.

"It's a total mystery," said Hoddle. "It's very annoying when these types of stories come out.

"You take it with a pinch of salt when so-and-so is interested in buying so-and-so or there's a bid from someone - but you smile to yourself because that's the way of the football world at the moment.

"But when it comes to two incidents like these, Stephen Carr's report about a bust-up with a member of staff in La Manga, nothing could be further from the truth. It's his first time back in full training and he's had a great week there and it's just total lies.

"It's the same with Steffen Iversen. It's a pack of lies. He's meant to have had a bust-up with me on the first day of training. Absolute rubbish."