Football News

Rangers are in signing talks with Ugo Ehiogu. The 34-year-old defender, who has made almost 150 appearances for Middlesbrough, should complete a deal with Walter Smith's club today.

"There are a few formalities to finish in terms of the medical and contractual issues. He will give us a bit of steel and experience," Smith said.

Ehiogu will become the second veteran central defender to be signed by Smith since he took over from Paul Le Guen. David Weir has already arrived from Everton.

Given out for four weeks

Newcastle goalkeeper Shay Given will be sidelined for at least four weeks due to injury. Given limped out of Saturday's 2-2 draw with West Ham after straining a groin when attempting to intercept a cross.

The Irishman was sent for a scan yesterday and tests confirmed he had suffered damage to his groin. It is the second injury Given has picked up against West Ham this term, as he suffered a perforated bowel at Upton Park in September.

Manager Glenn Roeder is sure to rue the absence of Given, but he has a more than able deputy in the fit-again Steve Harper.

Cassano in Moratti's list

Massimo Moratti, the Inter supremo, was reported as saying that he could make a bid for Antonio Cassano next summer. The unsettled Real Madrid striker has been linked with Inter after coach Roberto Mancini declared that he would welcome the addition of the Bari-born player.

"We are not interested in making any new signings and I think that the win over Fiorentina proved that we are fine just as we are," Moratti said.

"We are not making any plans for him now, but Cassano is included in a list of 10 players that we are targeting.

"We will keep on following them until June, when we will understand the coach's needs," added the Inter chief.

US tycoon joins race for 'Pool

An American tycoon has joined the race to buy Liverpool, according to reports. George Gillett, a billionaire who owns the Montreal Canadians ice hockey club, is preparing to offer £5,000 per share according to the Daily Mirror, which would value the club at £172 million.

Gillett had an initial bid for the club rejected by chairman David Moores, who subsequently accepted a bid from Dubai International Capital. However, that deal is taking longer than expected to complete according to the Liverpool Echo, and Gillett is looking to exploit the delay.

Adriano recalled by Brazil for friendly

Striker Adriano was called up by Brazil for the first time since the World Cup yesterday when he was included in the squad for next month's friendly against Portugal in London.

The match will be Brazil's first meeting with the former colonial power - and their Brazilian coach Luiz Felipe Scolari - since their 2-1 defeat in Porto four years ago.

"He has been through a troubled time but he is getting back on the right path again and this is a way of giving him some more incentive," coach Dunga told reporters.

Lampard deal - a long way off

Frank Lampard's agent yesterday denied that the England midfielder is close to extending his contract at Chelsea.

Chief executive Peter Kenyon told BBC Sport that Chelsea were "well down the line" on an agreement with Lampard. But the 28-year-old's agent Steve Kutner told The Guardian that, while the player was not seeking a move, a new deal was still "a long way off."

He added: "He has two years left on his deal and it's down to Peter Kenyon to talk to me, which I'm happy to do. If he wants to leave he could but that is nowhere near his mind at the moment."

Faty puts Juve transfer on hold

Rennes stopper Jacques Faty looks set to snub a move to Juventus after backtracking on his latest comments. The 22-year-old defender is contracted to the Ligue 1 side until June 2007 and had recently declared that he was set to move to Turin in June.

"I have decided to take into consideration Rennes' offer of a renewal - that is my first choice," explained the player.

"I spoke with the management and I am now waiting to meet with the coach. I would like to play more and be offered an interesting deal."

Nowotny retires due to injury

German international defender Jens Nowotny is retiring from soccer due to persistent injury.

"The latest injury clinched it," the 33-year-old said yesterday.

Nowotny made 48 appearances for Germany, his last being a 3-0 victory over Sweden in August. He also played in Germany's 3-1 win against Portugal that clinched third place at the last year's World Cup.

Nowotny was at Bayer Leverkusen for most of his career and played in 334 Bundesliga matches.

Lyon exchange Baros for Carew

Czech striker Milan Baros has joined Lyon from Aston Villa in exchange for Norway striker John Carew, the Ligue 1 team's coach Gerard Houllier announced yesterday.

The 25-year-old Baros used to play for Houllier when the Lyon coach was in charge at Liverpool.

The Czech was still playing for the Premier League side when he turned down an offer to join Lyon in 2005.

Baros is the French champions' second signing of the transfer window after Sedan's Algeria defender Nadir Belhadj.