Roberts seals points for Rovers

SFA compile shortlist

A first-half brace from Kieran Richardson (33 & 44) gave Sunderland a vital 2-0 victory over Portsmouth at the Stadium of Light.

Blackburn Rovers beat rivals Bolton Wanderers 1-2 at the Reebok Stadium. Kevin Nolan opened the scoring with a spectacular volley for the home side on the stoke of half-time but Christopher Samba equalised on 53 minutes and Jason Roberts’ last-minute strike sealed all three points for Rovers.

Hereford United beat Shrewsbury Town 3-1 at Edgar Street to move up to second place in League Two.

The Scottish Cup fourth-round clash between Rangers and East Stirlingshire at Ibrox had to be postponed due to a waterlogged pitch. The match has been rescheduled for January 23.

The Scottish Football Association has revealed that five candidates are vying to become the new Scotland manager. It is understood that Tommy Burns, Mark McGhee, Graeme Souness, George Burley and Billy Davies are all in contention.

Nathan Davies

Premier League round-up

Redknapp rejects Newcastle approach

Manchester United overtook Arsenal at the top of the Premier League after the Red Devils demolished managerless Newcastle United 6-0 at Old Trafford with all of the goals coming in the second half. Cristiano Ronaldo grabbed his first Manchester United hat-trick, Carlos Tevez bagged a brace and Rio Ferdinand claimed a volley. A disastrous evening was made even worse for the Magpies when Alan Smith saw red late on.

Arsenal slipped to second after being held to a 1-1 draw at the Emirates Stadium by Birmingham City. Emmanuel Adebayor scored from the penalty spot to put the Gunners ahead before Gary O’Connor netted a second-half equaliser.

Chelsea beat Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 at Stamford Bridge to maintain their dominance over the visitors who haven’t won at the Bridge since 1990. At the Riverside Stadium, Middlesbrough held Liverpool to a 1-1 draw while Joleon Lescott scored the only goal of the game as Everton beat visitors Manchester City to climb into fifth place in the Premier League.

Elsewhere, Aston Villa beat Reading 3-1 at Villa Park, West Ham United came from behind to beat Fulham 2-1 at Upton Park and Derby County slumped to a 0-1 home defeat at the hands of Wigan Athletic. Antoine Sibierski scored the only goal of the game with eight minutes remaining after Derby had Claude Davis sent off for two bookable offences.

West Bromwich Albion remain top of the Championship after a 1-3 victory at Hull City in the late kick-off. Brisol City had briefly dislaced them despite being held to a 1-1 draw at Ashton Gate by Colchester United. Third-placed Watford slumped to a 1-0 defeat at struggling Preston North End. Crystal Palace moved up to sixth place after beating Wolverhampton Wanderers 0-3 at Molineux. Neil Warnock’s men have now gone 14-games unbeaten.

In League One, Swansea City moved three points clear at the top of the table with a 1-3 win at Luton Town. Carlisle United dropped to third after a 1-0 defeat at Doncaster Rovers. Colin Calderwood’s Nottingham Forest replace them in second place after cruising to a 4-0 home win over Leyton Orient. Port Vale moved off the bottom thanks to a 3-1 victory over Millwall. Bournemouth replace them after suffering a 1-0 defeat against fellow strugglers Cheltenham Town at Whaddon Road.

Barnet beat League Two leaders MK Dons at the Stadium MK. Ismail Yakubu scored the only goal of the game for the visitors. Elsewhere, second-placed Rotherham United recorded a 1-3 win at Lincoln City and Darlington jumped from seventh to fourth with a 3-0 home win over Bury.

It was Scottish Cup fourth round day today but seven ties had to be postponed due to frozen pitches. Clyde v Dundee United, Livingston v Cowdenbeath, Huntly v Dundee, Cove Rangers v Ross County, St Johnstone v Raith Rovers, Airdrie United v Kilmarnock and Partick Thistle v Dunfermline Athletic were all called off. The ties that did go ahead failed to produce any real shock results with Celtic beating Stirling Albion 3-0 at Celtic Park, Motherwell came from behind to draw 2-2 against Heart of Midlothian at Tynecastle and Dean Shiels netted a hat-trick as Hibernian beat visitors Inverness Caledonian Thistle 3-0 in Mixu Paatelainen’s first game in charge of the Edinburgh club. The game at Easter Road will also be remembered for both sides finishing with 10 men after Phil McGuire of Inverness and Filpe Morais were sent-off.

The fifth round draw has also been made but is a little complicated due to seven postponements and four fourth round draws. Holders Celtic face a trip to either Kilmarnock or Airdrie United, Hibernian entertain the winners of tomorrow’s tie between Rangers and East Stirlingshire while St Mirren will take on Clyde or Dundee United. The ties will be played on weekend of February 2/3.

Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp has held talks with Newcastle United chairman Chris Mort about becoming the new manager at St James’ Park but had decided to remain at Portsmouth.

Nathan Davies

Skrtel joins Liverpool

Klinsmann lands Bayern job

Chelsea have signed Nicolas Anelka from Bolton Wanderers for £15m. The 28-year-old has signed a four-and-a-half year contract.

Liverpool have signed Slovakian defender Martin Skrtel from Zenit St Petersburg on a four-and-a-half-year contract. The Anfield club are believed to have paid £6m for the 23-year-old, making him the most expensive defender in Liverpool’s history.

Manchester United are reclaiming the title of the world’s richest club after revealing profits of £59.6m for the 12 months to June 2007 - a 93% rise on the previous year - and a gross revenue of £245m over the same period. United officials believe this exceeds the gross revenue of wealthy rivals Real Madrid by just 12 Euros if average conversion rates during the 12-month period in question are used.

Hossam Ghaly has joined Derby County from Tottenham Hotspur on loan until the end of the season.

Wigan Athletic have signed Honduran international Wilson Palacios for an undisclosed fee from Deportivo Olimpia. The 23-year-old midfielder has penned a three-and-a-half-year deal.

Sheffield Wednesday have signed West Bromwich Albion midfielder Ronnie Wallwork on a free transfer. The 30-year-old has signed a deal until the end of the season.

Bristol Rovers picked up three League One points this evening with a 0-2 away win at Tranmere Rovers.

Luton Town manager Kevin Blackwell has resigned along with assistant Sam Ellis and head coach John Carver - but the trio will delay their departure until after the home game against Bournemouth on February 9. The administrator has agreed to sell key players without consulting the management. Five players have left while three others are under offer. In a statement, Blackwell said:

“We [Blackwell, Carver and Ellis] came to Luton in the spring with a clear mission and it revolved around ambition, adequate investment for growth and real promise of a new stadium. Very quickly we found out that Luton Town Football Club did not do what it said on the tin. We have ended up managing a squad of players who do not know if they are being paid or have a future with the football club. This is becoming more relevant as we speak. It is not our role or intention to blame anybody for the state the club are in but we have face reality for ourselves. It is now our belief that no possible future scenario for this club can match in any way shape or form what we came here to do. Ironically we no longer have contracts that would require us to give notice but we are acutely aware that just to walk away would simply add to the short-term problems. We will therefore continue work under our basic terms and conditions for approximately one month, leaving the club after home game against Bournemouth on February 9.”

Motherwell have renamed the main stand at Fir Park after former captain Phil O’Donnell, who collapsed and died of heart failure during a match against Dundee United on December 29. Well take on Heart of Midlothian in the Scottish Cup fourth-round tie at Tynecastle tomorrow and the Motherwell players will wear strips with O’Donnell’s autograph embroidered on the front as a tribute.

Dunfermline Athletic boss Jim McIntyre has won the Irn-Bru First Division Manager of the Month award for December.

Jurgen Klinsmann will take over from Ottmar Hitzfeld as coach of Bayern Munich on July 1 2008.

Nathan Davies

Kitson charged by police

Paterson leaves Peterhead

The Football Association of Wales have confirmed the dates for their 2010 World Cup qualifying matches. Wales will kick-off the campaign on September 6 2008 with a home clash against Azerbaijan before travelling to Russia for a stiff test of their qualifying credentials four days later. The following month they face Liechtenstein at home before the daunting prospect of facing Germany away. On March 28 2009, they will entertain Finland followed by the visit of Germany on April Fools Day. There then follows an out-of-season trip to Azerbaijan in June before facing Russia in their last home match of the campaign. John Toshack’s men round off their Group 4 fixtures with trips to Finland and Liechtenstein in October.

Reading striker Dave Kitson has been charged with failing to provide a breath sample and failing to co-operate in providing a sample after being stopped by officers near his home in the early hours of Wednesday. Kitson is due to appear at Reading Magistrates’ Court on January 18.

Birmingham City have had bids to sign Everton striker James McFadden and Hibernian left-back David Murphy rejected.

Cardiff City have signed Blackburn Rovers goalkeeper Peter Enckelman on loan until the end of the season.

Preston North End have signed striker Chris Brown from Norwich City for around £400,000. The 23-year-old has signed a three-and-a-half-year deal.

Defender Andrew Davies has joined Southampton from Middlesbrough for an undisclosed fee. The 23-year-old has signed a two-and-a-half year contract following a successful loan spell with the Saints.

Watford have turned down a £4m bid from Fulham for striker Marlon King.

Wolverhampton Wanderers have agreed a deal to sign Sylvan Ebanks-Blake from Plymouth Argyle for £1.5million.

Financially crippled Luton Town have sold midfielder David Edwards to Wolverhampton Wanderers for £675,000 and defender Chris Coyne to Colchester United for £350,000. Meanwhile midfielder Ahmet Brkovic has made his loan move to Millwall permanent as Lewis Emanuel and Ed Asafu-Adjaye have gone on loan to Lincoln City and Salisbury City respectively.

Aberdeen defender Zander Diamond has signed a new three-and-a-half year contract with the club.

Mixu Paatelainen has been unveiled as the new Hibernian manager after the Edinburgh club agreed compensation with his former club, Finnish outfit TPS Turku.

Inverness Caledonian Thistle manager Craig Brewster has been named Clydesdale Bank manager of the month for December while Jags striker Marius Niculae has landed the player of the month prize.

Steve Paterson has left his position as Peterhead manager. A club statement said: “Peterhead have cancelled the contract of manager Steve Paterson with immediate effect. Assistant Neale Cooper will take charge of all football matters until the end of the season. Peterhead FC wish Steve Paterson all the best.”

Nathan Davies

Walcott nets equaliser

Luton deny charges

Newcastle United and Sam Allardyce have parted company by “mutual agreement”. Allardyce had been in charge of the Magpies for only 24 games over eight months and becomes the eighth Premier League managerial casualty this season. First-team coach Nigel Pearson will take charge of the team for Saturday’s Premier League meeting with Manchester United at Old Trafford.

Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur drew 1-1 at the Emirates Stadium in this Carling Cup semi-final first leg. Jermaine Jenas put the visitors ahead after 37 minutes but Theo Walcott netted an equaliser eleven minutes from time to ensure Spurs still haven’t beaten their North London rivals since November 1999.

Derby County have signed Robbie Savage from Blackburn Rovers for a fee understood to be in the region of £1.5million. The 33-year-old penned a two-and-a-half year contract and is in line to make his debut against Wigan Athletic at Pride Park this weekend.

Preston North End have signed midfielder Richard Chaplow from West Bromwich Albion on a three-and-a-half year deal for an initial £800,000. The Baggies could receive a further £550,000 from performance-related add-ons while there is also a 20% sell-on clause.

Luton Town have officially denied 17 FA charges relating to payments to agents and have requested a personal hearing into the allegations.

Nathan Davies

Football League review

Posh break transfer record

Chelsea won a crucial advantage over Everton in the first leg of this Carling Cup semi-final at Stamford Bridge. Shaun Wright-Phillips gave the home side a first-half lead before Jon Mikel Obi was dismissed following a sliding tackle on Phil Neville on 55 minutes. Yakubu grabbed an equaliser nine minutes later before Chelsea edged the tie courtesy of an injury-time own goal from Joleon Lescott.

In League One, Leyton Orient recorded a 3-0 home win against 10-men Tranmere Rovers while Walsall travelled to Huish Park to meet Yeovil Town and won 0-2.

Scott McGleish grabbed a hat-trick to help Wycombe Wanderers beat Mansfield Town 0-4 at Field Mill in this League Two encounter.

Grimsby Town beat Stockport County 1-2 at Edgely Park to reach the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy northern area final where they will face Morecambe who beat visitors Bury 2-0. In the southern area semi-finals, Swansea City beat Brighton & Hove Albion 1-0 at the Liberty Stadium while Milton Keynes Dons beat Gillingham 5-4 on penalties after a 1-1 draw at the Preistfield Stadium in the other semi-final.

Oxford United lost 0-1 at home to Weymouth in the Blue Square Premier.

The Scottish Premier League match between St Mirren and leaders Rangers on Tuesday has been postponed because of a waterlogged pitch at St Mirren Park.

Arsenal’s 18-year-old forward Vincent van den Berg has joined Dutch club Go Ahead Eagles on loan until the end of the season.

Derby County have signed former Newcastle winger Laurent Robert, on a deal that runs until the end of the season.

Everton could be in hot water following a row with the South African Football Association over midfielder Steven Pienaar, who missed tonight’s Carling Cup semi-final with Chelsea after South Africa invoked the 14-day rule ahead of the African Cup of Nations. The Toffees felt Pienaar was eligible for the Stamford Bridge clash due to South Africa’s first game of the tournament being staged on January 23. However, FIFA agreed with South Africa’s stance that the 14-day ruling should come into effect for when the African Cup of Nations starts on January 20. To make matters worse, the SAFA have now called on FIFA to take action against Everton.

Liverpool claim defender Jamie Carragher was spat at and had beer thrown over him after their FA Cup encounter with Luton Town at Kenilworth Road on Sunday. Carragher, 29, was pictured climbing a barrier to confront Luton supporters but neither the Football Association or local police have received complaints. A Liverpool spokesman said: “Jamie went to sign autographs for youngsters in the executive boxes. Unfortunately, he was subjected to a tirade of foul-mouthed abuse and also had beer thrown at him.” A Luton spokesman said the incident is being investigated.

Jermain Defoe has been told that he is free to leave Tottenham Hotspur.

Queens Park Rangers have signed Rowan Vine from Birmingham City for around £1m on a four-and-a-half-year contract.

Scunthorpe United have snapped up Kevin Horlock after the midfielder had his contract at Doncaster Rovers terminated by mutual consent earlier this week.

Television presenter Nick Owen is fronting a consortium, funded by local and overseas businessmen, bidding to save Luton Town. The bid is backed by three principal supporters’ groups, including the supporters’ trust. The consortium expect a decision from the administrator on Wednesday.

Peterborough United have broken their transfer record to sign 20-year-old goalkeeper Joe Lewis from Norwich City in a £400,000 deal. Lewis has penned a four-and-a-half-year deal at London Road.

Nathan Davies

Capello era begins

Torquay lose at home

The draw has been made for the fourth round of FA Cup and thrown up the possibility of a dream trip for non-leaguers Havant & Waterlooville to face Liverpool at Anfield. However, before such a tie can take place Rafa Benitez’s men must beat Luton Town in their third round replay while the Blue Square South outfit must get past Swansea City. Holders Chelsea travel to the JJB Stadium to take on Wigan Athletic, Manchester United entertain either Tottenham Hotspur or Reading, Arsenal host Stoke City or Newcastle United and Mansfield Town - the lowest placed League outfit still involved in the competition - welcome Middlesbrough to Field Mill. Third round giant-killers Oldham Athletic and Huddersfield Town have drawn each other while Coventry City’s comprehensive 1-4 win over Blackburn Rovers is rewarded with a home tie against either Walsall or Millwall. The draw will be a lot clearer after the 12 third round replays have been decided. Fourth round ties will all take place over the weekend of 26-27 January.

Fabio Capello officially began his tenure as England boss today and spent the day in meetings at Football Association headquarters in Soho Square. Capello’s first match in charge is against Switzerland at Wembley on February 6 at Wembley and he will name his first squad on January 31.

Bolton Wanderers have turned down a bid by Chelsea to sign Nicolas Anelka.

Reading have signed Marek Matejovsky from Mlada Boleslav for an undisclosed fee. The Czech Republic international has signed a three-and-a-half year contract.

Newcastle United have completed the signing of Swindon Town defender Ben Tozer. The 17-year-old has penned a four-and-a-half-year deal after the clubs agreed an undisclosed fee.

Portsmouth have paid an undisclosed compensation fee to FC Basel of Switzerland for the services of 18-year-old striker Danijel Subotic, who joins on a three-and-a-half year contract.

Blackpool have confirmed the signing of Stephen McPhee from Hull City for an undisclosed fee. The forward has signed a two-and-a-half year deal with the option of a further year.

Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Ben Alnwick has joined Leicester City on loan until the end of the season.

The future of Luton Town remains shrouded in doubt after the deadline for prospective buyers expired on Monday with no news on whether a new owner had been found.

In the Blue Square Premier, Burton Albion beat Torquay United 1-2 at Plainmoor.

Nathan Davies

FA Cup round-up

Boruc signs extension

It was another bad day for Premier League clubs in the FA Cup. Financially troubled Luton Town held Liverpool to a 1-1 draw at Kenilworth Road. Peter Crouch gave Liverpool a 73rd minute lead in front of the watching England manager Fabio Capello. However, just four minutes later John Arne Riise bundled into his own goal from Drew Talbot’s cross to give Luton a deserved replay at Anfield on January 15.

Derby County battled back from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Sheffield Wednesday at Pride Park. All the goals came in the first-half as the Owls raced into a two-goal lead through Mark Beevers (9) and Marcus Tudgay (23) before the Rams hit back with goals from Kenny Miller (38) and Giles Barnes (45). Fulham also had to work for a replay after salvaging a 2-2 draw against Bristol Rovers at Craven Cottage. Danny Coles gave the League One outfit the lead after only three minutes but David Healy headed an equaliser five minutes before half-time. Craig Hinton put the Pirates back in front after 65 minutes but Danny Murphy saved the Cottagers blushes on 73 minutes to force a replay at the Memorial Ground on January 15.

At the Britannia Stadium, Stoke City held Newcastle United to a goalless draw.

Arsenal showed their Premier League rivals how it was done by easing past Burnley 0-2 at Turf Moor. Eduardo da Silva opened the scoring on nine minutes and the home team were reduced to 10-men on the hour mark when Kyle Lafferty was dismissed after a challenge on Gilberto. Nicklas Bendtner added a second for the Gunners with 15 minutes remaining.

Celtic goalkeeper Artur Boruc has signed a contract extension that commits him to the club until 2011.

Nathan Davies

FA Cup round-up

Ze Roberto heads for Bundesliga

FA Cup third round day saw a number of shock results, not least Oldham Athletic’s 0-1 triumph over Everton at Goodison Park. Gary McDonald’s 25-yard effort on the stroke of half-time was enough for the League One side. Oldham were not the only lower league club to beat Premier League opponents though as Huddersfield Town beat Birmingham City 2-1 at the Galpharm Stadium, Sheffield United travelled to the Reebok Stadium where they beat Bolton Wanderers 0-1 and Blackburn Rovers were unceremoniously dumped out of the competition by Coventry City who progressed to the fourth round with a 1-4 win at Ewood Park.

There were four all-Premier League ties. Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney scored late goals as Manchester United beat Aston Villa at Villa Park - the fourth time in the past seven seasons United have beaten Villa at the third round stage. Sunderland and Wigan Athletic both fielded under-strength sides at the Stadium of Light but it was the Latics who proved victorious with a 0-3 victory. Tottenham Hotspur and Reading will have to do it all over again after drawing 2-2 at White Hart Lane as will West Ham United and Manchester City who played out a goalless draw at Upton Park.

Elsewhere, David Nugent scored his first goal for three months as Portsmouth beat 10-man Ipswich Town 0-1 at Portman Road, Middlesbrough came from behind to beat Bristol City 1-2 at Ashton Gate and a below-par Chelsea needed a Lee Camp own goal to squeeze past Queens Park Rangers at Stamford Bridge.

There were three non-league sides in FA Cup action today. Havant & Waterlooville managed a 1-1 draw with League Two leaders Swansea City at the Liberty Stadium to earn a replay at Westleigh Park on January 16. Andy Robinson put the home side ahead on 74 minutes but Rocky Baptiste drilled in a late equaliser. In between, Havant’s Brett Poate saw red for a lunge on Andrea Orlandi, with Swansea’s Alan Tate also sent off for his part in the melee that followed. Meanwhile, Chasetown - who hold the distinction of being the lowest-ranked team to ever appear at this stage of the competition - lost 1-3 at home against Championship side Cardiff City. Cambridge United travelled to Molineux to face Wolverhampton Wanderers and were unfortunate to lose 2-1 after leading at the break.

Mansfield Town deserve a special mention for beating Brighton & Hove Albion 1-2 at Withdean Stadium - the Stags are currently 91st in the Football League, without an away league victory all season and had lost their last five games on the road.

In League One, Carlisle United beat bottom of the table Port Vale 3-2 at Brunton Park. The visitors raced into a two-goal lead but a Luke Joyce strike and a double from Simon Hackney lifted the Cumbrians up to second in the table. Leeds United comfortably beat Northampton Town 3-0 at Elland Road.

Milton Keynes Dons have surged 11 points clear at the top of League Two after Mark Wright scored the only goal of the game against Rotherham United at Millmoor. At the other end of the table, Lincoln City beat Rochdale 0-2 at Spotland, which moves the Imps six points clear of danger. Jamie Forrester (82) and Lee Frecklington (83) were on the scoresheet.

Rangers are the new leaders of the Scottish Premier League after beating Dundee United 2-0 at Ibrox. Steven Naismith and Barry Ferguson grabbed the first-half goals. Meanwhile, St Mirren beat visitors Hibernian 2-1, Inverness Caledonian Thistle cruised past Gretna 3-0 at Caledonian Stadium, struggling Heart of Midlothian had to make do with a point after being held to a 1-1 draw by Kilmarnock at Tynecastle and 10-man Falkirk held Aberdeen to a goalless draw at the Falkirk Stadium. Scott Arfield was sent off for Falkirk on 50 minutes.

Chelsea striker Didier Drogba has been included in the Ivory Coast’s 23-man squad for the African Cup of Nations finals in Ghana later this month. Chelsea team-mate Salomon Kalou, Arsenal duo Emmanuel Eboue and Kolo Toure, Bolton Wanderers’ defender Abdoulaye Meite, Emerse Fae of Reading and Tottenham Hotspur’s Didier Zokora are also named in the squad.

Goalkeeping coach Nigel Spink has joined Wigan Athletic to fill the position left vacant by Gary Walsh’s decision to join former boss Paul Jewell at Derby County.

After his successful loan spell, Lionel Ainsworth of Hereford United has signed a two-and-a-half-year deal with Watford for an undisclosed fee.

Kilmarnock have signed defender Martyn Corrigan from Motherwell after the Fir Park club agreed a mutual termination of his contract.

Bundesliga side Schalke have completed the signing of 26-year-old Brazilian midfielder Ze Roberto from Botafogo on a three-and-a-half year deal.

Nathan Davies

Beckham trains with Arsenal

Hinkel signs for Bhoys

Hundreds of mourners have paid their respects at the funeral of Phil O’Donnell, who died after collapsing while playing for Motherwell against Dundee United at Fir Park on Saturday. The 35-year-old was pronounced dead a short time later in Wishaw General Hospital. A post-mortem examination revealed he had died from heart failure. The Requiem Mass took place at St Mary’s Church in Hamilton, South Lanarkshire. The service was for family and friends only but hundreds gathered outside the church to pay their respects.

David Beckham has begun training with Arsenal in a bid to maintain his fitness and win his 100th England cap against Switzerland on February 6. He is expected to return to Los Angeles Galaxy in mid-February in time for their pre-season friendlies ahead of the MLS season, which starts in late March.

Sunderland have signed Manchester United defender Jonny Evans on loan until the end of the season. Evans, 20, also spent part of the 2006/2007 campaign on loan with the Black Cats.

Derby County have signed defender Danny Mills on a loan deal until the end of the season from Manchester City. Later in the day they also finalised the £2million signing of Argentinian striker Emanuel Villa from Mexican side UAG Tecos on a three-and-a-half year contract.

Burnley have signed defender Stanislav Varga on an initial one-month loan from Sunderland.

Norwich City have completed a triple swoop to sign defender Ryan Bertrand from Chelsea on loan until the end of the season, extended the loan signing of Mo Camara from Derby County until May and completed a permanent deal for Matthew Pattison from Newcastle United on a three-and-a-half year deal. However, Roeder has lost the services of midfielder Jimmy Smith, who has been recalled by Chelsea after injuries blighted his loan stay at Norwich.

Leicester City have signed Hungarian winger Laczko Zsolt on loan from Olympiakos with a view to a permanent move.

Leeds United have signed Birmingham City midfielder Neil Kilkenny on loan with a view to a permanent transfer. Kilkenny has spent the first-half of the season on loan at Oldham Athletic.

Brentford have appointed Andy Scott as the club’s manager on a pemanent basis following his successful spell five-game spell in caretaker charge since the sacking of Terry Butcher as manager.

Former Port Vale manager Martin Foyle has joined Wrexham as first-team coach leading to the departure of Steve Weaver from the Racecourse. Chief scout Brian Prandle and assistant physio Jenni Taylor have also left the club.

Celtic have finalised the signing of German international defender Andreas Hinkel on a three-and-a-half year contract from Sevilla.

Nathan Davies