Football news round-up 3-4 Aug

Tuesday 4 August 2009

Blackburn have completed the signing of Croatia striker Nikola Kalinic in a deal worth £12m, according to the striker's club Hajduk Split. Rovers have also captured Chelsea starlet Franco di Santo on loan until January.

Aston Villa have agreed a fee with Leeds United for England Under-21 midfielder Fabian Delph. The 19-year-old is now expected to undergo a medical before making the move to Villa Park.

Leroy Lita has signed a three-year deal with Championship side Middlesbrough. The 24-year-old, who was released by Reading at the end of last season, will now attempt to fire the Teesiders back to the top-flight at the first attempt.

Preston have completed the signing of former Wales international Paul Parry from Cardiff for a fee believed to be in the region of £300,000.

Australia cricket captain Ricky Ponting has become a shareholder at non-League side Altrincham. The club's chairman, Geoff Goodwin, is also the Australian team's coach driver and enjoys a close friendship with the skipper.

Forest Green midfielder Mike Fowler could be forced to retire from football after suffering a career-threatening ankle injury during the weekend's friendly game with Exeter City.

Colchester have re-signed striker Kevin Lisbie on a season-long loan from Ipswich just 12-months after the forward left the club.

John Hartson is expected to start chemotherapy this week as he continues his fight against cancer. The former Arsenal striker has been transferred from critical care as he continues to make encouraging progress.

Everton midfielder Marouane Fellaini could miss the start of the Premier League season after being struck down by a virus.

Sunderland expect to complete the £12million signing of Tottenham and England striker Darren Bent today. Sunderland assistant manager Eric Black said on Monday night: "We're very close. We're hopeful that in the next 24 hours he'll be a Sunderland player."

Monday 3 August 2009

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp denied he has made a bid for Newcastle defender Sebastien Bassong after watching his side suffer a pre-season 2-0 defeat to South China, in Hong Kong. Redknapp said: “He is a player that I was interested in. I don't think we have made an offer as far as I know. I am sure the chairman has not made an offer."

Blackburn Rovers have agreed a fee with Hajduk Split for striker Nikola Kalinic. The Croatian striker had looked Portsmouth bound before a £6million move fell through.

Leeds manager Simon Grayson insists the club are yet to receive an acceptable bid for midfielder Fabian Delph. Grayson revealed: “We've had two bids from Premier League clubs over two weeks ago. They were nowhere near the target of the realistic aim that we are looking to receive, but I know that could change at any time.”

England goalkeeper David James claims he will not be one of the players leaving Portsmouth this summer. James said: “Moving clubs for me isn't an issue. I signed a contract and my intention was to see out the World Cup and the following season and see how it went from there. That hasn't changed as far as I am concerned.”

Birmingham City will discover by Tuesday whether they have been successful in trying to sign Arsenal left-back Armand Traore in a loan deal. Birmingham manager Alex McLeish said: “I don't want to upset Arsene Wenger by speaking (about Traore). I also see he has got a couple of injuries himself, like Gael Clichy, so I hope that's not ominous.”

Another Arsenal young player, Jack Wilshire, was voted man of the match after his two-goal display in his side’s 3-0 win over Rangers as they regained the Emirates Cup. Croatia striker Eduardo scored the other.

Everton and Coventry played out a 2-2 draw at the Ricoh Arena. Tim Cahill and Jose Baxter twice gave Everton the lead but Michael Doyle and Aron Gunnarsson hit equalisers to earn a draw in Marcus Hall's testimonial match.

Newcastle played their final pre-season match before they start life in the Championship and an Andy Carroll goal earned them a 1-1 at Dundee United. The game attracted a higher than expected attendance as fans paid tribute to the late Sir Bobby Robson.

A number of Premier League clubs will be encouraged by Dutch star Rafael Van der Vaart’s confirmation that he will be leaving Real Madrid. Van der Vaart said: "The coach told me I won't get much chance to play, so it's not an option to stay here. Of course I am interested in Hamburg, but it's not the only option for me. The most important thing is that I will play at a new club.”