Latest ChampionShip News

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SPURS CAPTURE BLADES DUO

Tottenham have confirmed the signings of defenders Kyle Naughton and Kyle Walker from Sheffield United.

No fee was disclosed for either of the England youth internationals.

Naughton, 20, attracted the interest of several Barclays Premier League clubs after becoming a stand-out player for the Blades last season.

He began the season as the regular right-back, but can also play in midfield and eventually moved to the left-hand side of defence to accommodate his fellow United academy product Walker.

Naughton, a boyhood Blades fan, made his debut for the club in August, and went on to make 50 appearances for the club, earning recognition with a place in the PFA Championship Team of the Year.

Walker is the less experienced of the pair. The 19-year-old broke into the team at the back end of the season, with the England Under-19 defender making seven appearances, including all three of United's games in the Coca-Cola Championship play-offs.

Naughton had looked to be on the way to Everton when the Merseysiders agreed a fee with United last week, but Tottenham have succeeded with a late move by targeting both players.

 

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MOWBRAY CONFIDENT AS DINAMO LOOM

Tony Mowbray insists Celtic are making good progress ahead of their Champions League qualifier with Dinamo Moscow in a week's time despite being held to a goalless draw by Cardiff.

The Bhoys marked the opening of Cardiff's new 27,000 all-seater stadium by fielding a strong line-up, with newcomer Landry N'Guemo impressing on his full debut after signing from Nancy on a season-long loan.

Mowbray said: "Are we on course for the Champions League? I think so. This was only our second game. We went all the way to Australia to play a football match. Now we've come down to Cardiff.

"We seem to be on the road a lot . We are going to Wembley now and have two tough fixtures there over the weekend (with Tottenham and Al Ahly).

"That first leg looms large a week tonight. In an ideal world, it is a bit early in our preparations but it is there, we have to take it on.

"I think there is enough evidence tonight to show that we will hopefully be more than competitive. I don't think the team suffered through lack of fitness tonight.

"With the likes of Shaun Maloney and Aiden McGeady on the field, we have a cutting edge and sharpness about the team that can create chances."

Mowbray admits it is a "balancing act" between fielding his probable team against Dinamo and making sure all his players are match fit.

He said: "It is pre-season. Players need to get minutes on the pitch.

"Because there is a Champions League game coming up, it is a balancing act between trying to put a team out that can potentially play in that game - but not forgetting there another dozen footballers who need time out there.

"If you just focus on 11 players, come the start of the season you are going to have another 11 or 12 who have never kicked a ball. It is a balancing act and one we are trying hard to get right."

Mowbray has to sign any new players for the Champions League by 11pm on Thursday but if he fails in that objective, he has confidence in the current squad.

He said: "With these things, you get so far down the line and think you are going over the final hurdle and something is going to get done and it can get tripped up.

"I would be hopeful but, if it doesn't happen, I won't be getting down and we will push on and there is enough evidence tonight that the players out there can do a more than able job."

Cardiff manager Dave Jones has challenged his players to make the new stadium a fortress.

He said: "We have got to try to turn it into our home and that is what I said to the players before the game, that we have got to go out and perform.

"Everyone associated with the club can be proud of tonight and the new stadium and I was pleased with what we got from the game.

"At this stage it is about fitness levels and we are running at about 85% at present."

 

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REDS HELD IN THAILAND

Sutee Sumsomkit's second-half equaliser saw Thailand secure a battling 1-1 draw with Liverpool in a pre-season friendly at Rajamangala Stadium in Bangkok.

Ryan Babel put the Barclays Premier League side in front after six minutes but substitute Sutee struck with a consummate finish midway through the second period to ensure the encounter ended all-square.

Slick Chelsea defeated former boss Jose Mourinho's Inter Milan 2-0 at the Rose Bowl to get their World Football Challenge campaign off to a winning start in Pasadena, California.

Goals from Didier Drogba in the 11th minute and a Frank Lampard penalty just after half-time gave Chelsea the victory over the Italian champions in front of 81,224 fans.

The impressive nature of the Blues' performance more than the scoreline, however, will have delighted new head coach Carlo Ancelotti, especially coming so soon into the ex-AC Milan chief's first pre-season campaign.

Wigan lost 2-0 to Romanian Champions League qualifiers FC Timiosara in their second friendly in Austria.

Both goals came in the opening 18 minutes as Roberto Martinez's side paid for lapses in concentration.

Arman Karamyan put the Romanians ahead in the 11th minute when he found space on the edge of the area to fire low past goalkeeper Chris Kirkland's left hand.

Gigel Bucur added the second from close range after being left unmarked.

Cardiff marked the official opening of their new 27,000 all-seater stadium by holding a strong Celtic line-up to a goalless draw.

More than 15,000 fans - and dozens of former Cardiff players - turned up to witness the occasion as the Coca-Cola Championship club ended their lengthy association with Ninian Park.

For Celtic, the game marked another step forward in their preparations for the forthcoming Champions League qualifier with Dinamo Moscow after triumphing 3-0 in their opening pre-season game against Brisbane Roar.

Wolves, playing their second friendly in as many nights, went down 2-1 at League Two side Port Vale.

The hosts had a Kris Taylor goal disallowed in the 36th minute but a minute before half-time Doug Loft headed in Louis Dodds' cross.

Wolves scored an equaliser 10 minutes after the break when Matt Jarvis dispossessed John McCombe and fired past Stuart Tomlinson.

Midway through the half Michael Kightly made his long-awaited Wolves comeback having been sidelined with a broken metatarsal in March.

Despite Wolves increasing the pressure it was Vale who snatched the winner three minutes from time when Robert Taylor latched on to player-coach Geoff Horsfield's flick-on to fire low into the corner.

Tottenham gave a run-out to new signing Kyle Naughton in their 3-1 defeat at Aldershot.

First-team goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes and right-back Alan Hutton were also included but could not prevent Danny Hylton giving the hosts a third-minute lead.

Ben Alnwick replaced Gomes at half-time and Naughton also came on and it was the defender, signed from Sheffield United earlier in the day, who provided the 74th-minute cross from which Danny Rose headed in.

However, in the last eight minutes Reece Connolly and Adam Hinshelwood added late goals to secure victory for the hosts.

West Ham also failed to secure victory as they were held 1-1 by Buraspor.

Kieron Dyer found the target for the Hammers, while Luis Jimenez looked lively, but Gianfranco Zola's side failed to see off Turkish opposition.

Plymouth had Rory Fallon and Steven MacLean to thank for handing them a 2-1 win over Unirea Urziceni while Radoslaw Majewski celebrated his arrival at Nottingham Forest in style as he notched a debut goal at Rushden & Diamonds, but the Reds were held 1-1.

Robert Koren and Luke Moore were among the goals for West Brom as they secured a 2-0 victory at Shrewsbury while Ipswich were also 2-0 winners on the road as Roy Keane guided his side past League One side Southend.

Middlesbrough looked to be in fine fettle as they hammered Dumbarton 5-0, while Sheffield United were rarely troubled in a 2-0 success at Chesterfield.

Huddersfield made light work of Bradford PA as they eased to a 4-0 victory on the road and Brentford claimed the President's Cup against Sutton United as they cruised to a 3-1 win.

 

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JONES PUTS PRICE ON LEDLEY

Cardiff boss Dave Jones insists Hull target Joe Ledley will not be allowed to leave the Coca Cola Championship club on the cheap, even though he has only 12 months left of his current contract.

Jones spoke with Tigers boss Phil Brown ahead of Wednesday's home clash with Celtic which marked the official opening of their new 27,000 all-seater stadium.

Brown has confirmed his interest in Wales and Bluebirds skipper Ledley as well as striker Ross McCormack, with the duo believed to be rated at £6million and £4m respectively.

But Jones, who has already lost central defender Roger Johnson to Birmingham for £5m, is adamant any interested parties have to meet the full asking price.

Jones said: "I saw Phil (Brown) before he came in. If he pays the money the club are asking, then there isn't a problem. The chairman (Peter Ridsdale) has said that.

"I can't do anything about that if the price is right. If Joe won't sign a contract, then he will go - but we won't let him go cheaply.

"People keep going on about the fact he has got a year left of his contract. I don't see why that should make him any cheaper. I'm astounded when people do that.

"So I say 'wait a year then.' If we've been offered £6m six months ago, why has his valuation gone down because he has decided to run his contract out?"

Jones added: "I don't see the problem is with us. The problem is with his agent trying to work the oracle a little bit.

"Joe has lost 12 months money as far as I am concerned by not signing an extension because, if the price still comes in, he would still go.

"That is what happened with Roger Johnson. He signed a new contract and when Birmingham met the price and he wanted to go, then he went."

Regarding McCormack, Jones added: "Phil never mentioned Ross to me. He or anyone can have a look at them all - but, if they don't come up with what the chairman and football club expect, then they don't go."

 

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SOUTHGATE EXPECTING DUO TO LEAVE

Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate is expecting strikers Mido and Tuncay Sanli to leave the club within weeks.

Neither the Egyptian nor his Turkish team-mate were involved in Wednesday night's 5-0 friendly win at Dumbarton having been left behind on Teesside.

Mido is a fortnight behind the rest of the squad after failing to turn up for pre-season training until Monday this week, while Tuncay is nursing a back problem.

However, Southgate is resigned to seeing both follow Stewart Downing out of the door at the Riverside Stadium.

He told the Northern Echo after the game: "We know that Mido would like to move on in an ideal world - as would Tuncay - and I'm sure those deals will happen.

"But that doesn't take care of itself. It is something I have to deal with, but while I'm here, my focus is on the players who have come on this trip."

 

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WIGGINS SET FOR NORWICH TALKS

Crystal Palace have accepted an offer from Norwich for defender Rhoys Wiggins.

The 21-year-old left-back is out of contract at Selhurst Park and the Canaries have agreed a compensation package with the south Londoners.

Wiggins, who is currently receiving treatment for a knee injury, is now poised to discuss personal terms at Carrow Road.

Palace boss Neil Warnock told the Croydon Advertiser: "We've accepted an offer from Norwich for Rhoys."

 

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ADAM SWITCH IN DOUBT

Charlie Adam's proposed move to Blackpool looks increasingly uncertain after the midfielder travelled to Germany for Rangers' pre-season tour.

The 23-year-old met up with his Rangers team-mates at Glasgow Airport on Thursday morning despite entering into talks with Blackpool at the weekend following their successful £500,000 bid.

Adam, who shone during a loan spell with the Coca-Cola Championship club in the second half of last season, will be joined in Germany by his younger brother, goalkeeper Grant.

Andrew Shinnie, Andy Little and Alan Gow have also been promoted to the first-team squad while DaMarcus Beasley rejoins his team-mates following his extended break after competing for the US in the Confederations Cup.

Maurice Edu and Kirk Broadfoot will remain in Glasgow to continue their rehabilitation from knee and foot injuries respectively.

Meanwhile, Neil Alexander is not taking the goalkeeper's jersey for granted despite helping Rangers clinch the double last season.

The 31-year-old kept his place after Allan McGregor was suspended in April following his controversial behaviour on Scotland duty.

But Alexander knows he needs to keep proving to Walter Smith that he should be first choice.

The former Cardiff and Ipswich player said: "I think the gaffer will take everything into consideration when he makes his decision but of course I'd be disappointed if I didn't start with the way things happened last season.

"But I've got to keep an open mind, I did join Rangers as a number two and Allan was the established number one and maybe still is.

"Being a number two, I've maybe been fortunate in the last two seasons to get as many games as I have because I could quite easily have come and not had one first-team appearance.

"I've been very fortunate the way things have happened but Allan is still probably regarded as the first choice goalkeeper and I'm his number two.

"Having said all that, it's up to me to prove to the manager that I can still come in and beat the number one."

 

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TRACTOR BOYS CLOSE TO HEALY DEAL

Roy Keane has confirmed that Ipswich are close to completing the signing of Colin Healy from Cork City.

The 29-year-old international midfielder has completed a medical at Portman Road and is in discussions with the club over personal terms.

Keane told the club's official website: "We had permission from Cork on Tuesday to speak to Colin and I had a chat with him on Wednesday.

"He's had a medical and we are now waiting for the results of that and he's now discussing personal terms. Hopefully they will be finalised very soon and I expect him to be an Ipswich player at some stage on Thursday."

 

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BLADES BOSS TO DECIDE ON TRIALISTS

Kevin Blackwell will decide this week whether to hand permanent deals to Sheffield United trialists Glen Little and Julian Gray.

Former Reading winger Little, released by Portsmouth earlier this summer, and Gray, who left Fulham in July, both played for most of the 2-0 friendly win over Chesterfield at Saltergate.

Blackwell said: "They have been a credit while with us and I expect to make a decision on them by the end of the week, but of course they will be the first to know.

"In any event I'm hopeful of bringing three or four players in very soon."

The Blades, for whom new signing Andy Taylor made his first appearance at left-back, ran out comfortable winners at the League Two side, with Leigh Bromby giving them a first-half lead and Jamie Ward converting a penalty against his former club after being hauled down in the area.

 

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JOHNSON LIKES THE LOOK OF LEJSAL

Bristol City manager Gary Johnson is to keep Czech goalkeeper Martin Lejsal on trial at the club.

Johnson is on the look-out for a new keeper following Adriano Basso's decision to hand in a transfer request and Lejsal was given a chance to impress during Wednesday's 2-1 win at Dorchester.

"He did everything he needed to do well," Johnson told his club's official website. "But he didn't have a great deal to do, so we'll have to pepper him in training and maybe look at him against Wolves (on Saturday).

"He certainly looks the part and he's a big player out in the Czech Republic. We need to give him every opportunity.

"Martin's club (Brno) doesn't want to lose him too easy, they're just following his request of wanting to come to England."

City won their latest pre-season friendly 2-1 with John Akinde and Danny Haynes getting the goals.

 

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RANGERS COMPLETE TAARABT LOAN DEAL

QPR have agreed the signing of Tottenham midfielder Adel Taarabt on a season-long loan deal.

The 20-year-old Moroccan impressed during a brief stint at Loftus Road towards the end of last season and Rangers boss Jim Magilton has beaten off competition from other Championship clubs to bring him back to west London.

"I've seen Adel plenty of times and I know he's a player of undoubted ability," said Magilton.

"He's a match-winner on his day and will bring added competition to the squad.

"The fact we have been able to agree a deal to bring in someone of Adel's quality shows the sort of direction this club is heading in.

"If you can encourage a squad player from the Premier League to take a drop down to the Championship, then it shows what your intentions are."

 

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KEANE CONFIRMS TOWN STRIKER BID

Roy Keane has confirmed Ipswich have accepted an offer for an unnamed forward but have denied claims Town have received a bid for Alan Quinn.

Republic of Ireland international Quinn is believed to be a target for fellow Championship side Barnsley but Keane has moved to deny rumours.

He told the club's official website: "I'm not sure where those stories have come from. We've had no offer for Quinner.

"We've had an offer for one of our strikers which has been accepted by the club. We have given permission for the player to speak to the club concerned but that doesn't mean that a deal is done."

 

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FA TO INVESTIGATE FRIENDLY FRACAS

The Football Association is to investigate the trouble which flared during and after Tuesday night's friendly clash between Huddersfield and Newcastle.

Match referee Jon Moss has included details of the bust-ups in his report, and disciplinary chiefs are now looking into the matter.

An FA spokesman said: "It has been reported to us and we are looking into it."

Up to 20 players were involved in a melee at half-time in the game at the Galpharm Stadium after Magpies defender Habib Beye and Terriers counterpart Andy Butler and then skipper Peter Clarke became embroiled in a heated exchange.

That incident is understood to have continued in the tunnel, and there were unseemly scenes too on the final whistle with Fabricio Coloccini and Lee Novak locking horns.

Beye is understood to have sustained an injury after being caught by a kick during the disturbance in the tunnel which could keep him out of Saturday's game at Leyton Orient.

Both Newcastle's caretaker boss Chris Hughton and Huddersfield counterpart Lee Clark, the former Magpies midfielder, were quick to play down the confrontations.

However, Mr Moss's observations will now be taken into account as the FA decides whether or not further action should be taken.

 

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BLADES TO UNVEIL EVANS

Sheffield United will unveil Manchester City striker Ched Evans as their latest summer signing on Friday in a deal that could reach £3million.

The Blades have also confirmed they will be introducing other new additions to their squad at a press conference at the club's Shirecliffe academy headquarters.

United manager Kevin Blackwell has been chasing Evans all summer and the Blades had an initial bid of £1.5million turned down in June, but the two clubs have now agreed a reported fee that could rise to £3million depending on appearances for the 20-year-old Wales international.

Evans, a product of City's youth academy who has appeared six times for Wales, made his first-team debut for the Blues in September 2007 against Norwich, where he went on loan the following November until the end of the 2007/8 season.

Blackwell is also expected to confirm the signings of former Reading and Portsmouth midfielder Glen Little and Julian Gray, released by Fulham at the end of last season, who have both been on trial with the club.

 

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CELTIC LOOK TO CATCH FOX

Coventry left-back Daniel Fox is reportedly on his way to Glasgow as he looks to undergo a medical and discuss personal terms at Celtic.

The highly-rated 23-year-old has shot to the top of Tony Mowbray's wish-list, with the new Hoops boss a long-term admirer.

Mowbray was keen to sign Fox for West Brom during his time at the Hawthorns and has followed up that initial interest following his own move to Celtic.

Nottingham Forest, along with a number of Premier League clubs, were thought to be monitoring Fox's situation but it is understood Celtic are the only club to have had an offer accepted.

Fox, who was named in the PFA Championship team of the season last term, could wrap up his move to Parkhead later on Thursday night.

 

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McCORMACK HANDS IN TRANSFER REQUEST

Cardiff chairman Peter Ridsdale has told Ross McCormack he will not be leaving the Championship club unless a high enough bid is made for the Scotland striker.

Ridsdale revealed that McCormack had informed him he would like to leave the Welsh club if another club made an offer for him.

Ridsdale told the club website, cardiffcity.co.uk: "Ross McCormack telephoned me today to indicate that if another club came in for him, he would wish to leave.

"This is three weeks after signing a new four-year contract. I told Ross that we had not had any bids for his services and unless he knew of interest that we were unaware of, then he would remain a Cardiff City player."

Ridsdale confirmed any prospective buyer of the striker would have to meet Cardiff's valuation.

Ridsdale added: "I wish to make it clear that if this is a method for any other club to believe that Ross would be allowed to leave Cardiff City 'on the cheap', that this will not be the case.

"If Ross subsequently leaves Cardiff City, it will only be if we receive an offer from another club that matches our valuation of the player."

 

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CANARIES COMPLETE TRIPLE DEAL

Norwich have completed the permanent signings of Preston's Simon Whaley and Rhoys Wiggins from Crystal Palace, while bringing in Ben Alnwick on loan.

Whaley and Wiggins have signed two-year contracts at Carrow Road to join for undisclosed fees.

"It's great to have secured the signatures of these two players," manager Bryan Gunn told First News.

"I've seen Simon play on the right side of midfield and that is where I see him operating for us. However, he can also play on the left flank and through the middle so he gives us plenty of attacking options.

"Rhoys is predominantly a left-back. He is a player who likes to get forward and will certainly bring a level of competition to the squad that we feel we need."

Gunn has also signed Tottenham goalkeeper Alnwick on a three-month loan deal to provide extra competition for the early stages of the season.

He added: "Ben will come in on a three-month loan from Spurs.

"He will provide cover initially for the first part of the season and provide competition for the No.1 spot."

 

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STACK SET FOR HIBS SWITCH

Graham Stack is poised to complete his move to Hibernian after agreeing terms with the SPL side.

Former Arsenal youngster Stack will put pen to paper on a two-year contract at Easter Road and will battle Yves Ma-Kalambay for the No 1 jersey.

The 27-year-old fell out of favour with Plymouth boss Paul Sturrock shortly after his arrival on a free from Reading and was told he had no future there.

Stack is now poised to join the Hibs squad in Belfast for their pre-season friendlies against Glentoran and Shamrock Rovers.

He told the Daily Record: "Everything has been agreed with the contract and it's just a case of getting it signed.

"I've reached a settlement with Plymouth to release me from my contract and allow me to walk away from the club.

"I'm delighted Hibs have shown a lot of interest in taking me up to Scotland, especially the gaffer who I had a conversation with last season when he was at Falkirk.

"I had offers from three or four League One clubs and a Championship side but I chose Hibs and I'm looking forward to playing football again because I didn't really settle last season.

"Having started the season with Plymouth I had some differences with the manager and he decided to leave me out.

"He then made it clear I didn't have a future at the club, even though he said he thinks I'm a good 'keeper."

 

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IPSWICH SWOOP FOR HEALY

Ipswich have completed the signing of midfielder Colin Healy from Cork City for an undisclosed fee.

The 29-year-old has signed a two-year contract at Portman Road and will feature during Saturday's friendly against Colchester.

Healy began his career with Celtic before featuring for Sunderland, Livingston, Barnsley and Cork and will face competition for a starting place under Roy Keane.

 

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CARDIFF AGREE TO SELL PARRY

Cardiff have agreed a fee with an unnamed Championship club for the sale of Paul Parry.

The attacking midfielder now appears set for talks with the successful bidders, who are believed to be Preston, although Doncaster are also understood to have been interested in the retired Wales international.

Chairman Peter Ridsdale told WalesOnline: "We have agreed a fee for Paul Parry with another club. The club involved have been given permission for talks with the player."

A fee of around £300,000 could be involved, which would represent handsome return on a player signed for just £75,000 from Hereford back in 2004.

Parry, who is almost 29, can play on wither wing or as a forward.