Wise to take Newcastle role

Hayles hits late winner

Weymouth sack Tindall

Leeds United have agreed to let manager Dennis Wise join Newcastle United as the Magpies’ new director of football. The 41-year-old will work under new manager Kevin Keegan. The Elland Road club released the following statement: “We have agreed a compensation package with Newcastle for the services of Dennis Wise. He will part with the club on Tuesday after completing preparations for the game at Southend on Tuesday.”

Barry Hayles notched the only goal of the game in the 88th minute as Leicester City beat Crystal Palace at the Walkers Stadium. This was Palace’s first defeat since October 29.

Scottish Premier League side Gretna crashed out of the Scottish Cup at the fourth round stage after a 3-0 mauling by Morton at Palmerston Park. Morton now face Queen of the South in the fifth-round of the Scottish Cup at Cappielow on Saturday. Meanwhile, Kilmarnock won 0-2 at Airdrie United and Brechin City beat Hamilton Academicals 2-1 after extra time at Glebe Park.

Ghana have qualified for the quarter-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations as winners of Group A after a 2-0 victory over Morocco at the Ohene Djan Stadium. First-half goals from Chelsea’s Michael Essien and Portsmouth’s Sulley Muntari saw the hosts progress. Guinea qualified as runners-up after a 1-1 draw with Namibia in Sekondi.

John Toshack has named his Wales squad for the friendly with Norway at Wrexham on February 6. West Ham United pair Craig Bellamy and Danny Gabbidon have been included despite not playing for the Hammers since last year. Both players are recovering from injury and made it through a reserve match last week as they continue their recovery from injury. Oldham Athletic striker Craig Davies wins a recall for the first-time since November 2006. Absentees include Cardiff City’s Paul Parry, West Ham United’s James Collins (knee) and Tottenham Hotspur’s Gareth Bale (foot).

Juventus have reached a deal to sign Aston Villa defender Olof Mellberg at the end of the season on a three-year deal.

The new owners of Derby County are the American-based group General Sports and Entertainment. The group has agreed an investment partnership with the club, which will not involve them taking on any debt. Tom Glick, a former chief marketing officer for the New Jersey Nets basketball team, is to be brought in as a new president and chief executive. Another GSE affiliate, Tim Hinchey, will become Derby’s executive vice-president while Adam Pearson retains his position as chairman.

Reading have signed 24-year-old Mali international Jimmy Kebe for an undisclosed fee from Lens. The winger has inked a two-and-a-half-year deal.

Tottenham Hotspur have completed the £8m signing of Jonathan Woodgate from Middlesbrough having reached an agreement on personal terms following lengthy talks with the 28-year-old central defender over the weekend.

The draw has been made for the fifth round of the FA Cup with the stand-out tie seeing Manchester United host Arsenal at Old Trafford. Holders Chelsea face a home tie against League One side Huddersfield Town, Liverpool and Barnsley meet at Anfield while Portsmouth face a tricky trip to Preston North End. Sheffield United manager Bryan Robson will take on former team Middlesbrough at Bramall Lane. Two all-Championship clashes see Cardiff City tackle Wolverhampton Wanderers at Ninian Park while Coventry City and West Bromwich Albion clash at the Ricoh Arena. League One strugglers Bristol Rovers face Championship side Southampton. The ties are scheduled to take place on February 16 and 17.

Barnsley have signed 30-year-old Jon Macken from Derby County on a 18-month deal for an undisclosed six-figure fee.

Weymouth manager Jason Tindall has been sacked after just one year in the job.

Nathan Davies