Soccer Shorts: Newcastle have confirmed they intend to enter the January transfer market again in a bid to land Portsmouth duo Aiyegbeni Yakubu and Amdy Faye in a £10 million deal.
Manager Graeme Souness is keen to bring in Faye after Nicky Butt broke down in training on Wednesday and faces months on the sidelines.
Their bid to persuade Manchester City defender Sylvain Distin to go to St James' Park has collapsed after a £5million offer was rejected.
In addition, the club has decided against a move for Sammy Kuffour after Souness watched him play in a friendly for Bayern Munich on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Ireland full-back Stephen Carr will have his knee injury assessed today after making slow progress in his recovery.
Rangers' Greek gift
Rangers completed the signing of Greece defender Sotirios Kyrgiakos last night. The 25-year-old agreed terms, with a £1.75million fee having been agreed with Panathinaikos.
The defender has won 10 caps for his country but missed out on Greece's Euro 2004 triumph because of a knee injury sustained, ironically, against Rangers in the Champions League.
Meanwhile, Blackburn chief executive John Williams has warned Rangers his club has the financial clout to keep Barry Ferguson, who wants a return to the Glasgow club.
Despite having just spent £3 million on midfielder Robbie Savage this week, Williams said: "There is no financial need to sell Barry at the moment. From my point of view I still want Barry Ferguson to be a Blackburn Rovers player."
Setback for Vassell
Aston Villa's England striker Darius Vassell could miss the rest of the season after learning he needs a second ankle operation.
The England player attempted a comeback for Villa's reserve side against Manchester United last week after three months on the sidelines.
But the troublesome ankle has not responded and now he will go under the knife for a second time today.
Jol on the lookout
Tottenham yesterday revealed they have made a £1.5million bid for Crystal Palace winger Wayne Routledge and are close to signing Roma striker Mido on loan.
Spurs coach Martin Jol also confirmed they are interested in Chelsea striker Carlton Cole, currently on loan with Aston Villa.
Chelsea drop Umbro
Chelsea have terminated their kit sponsorship with Umbro five years early by mutual agreement.
Their contract will now end in June 2006 instead of 2011 and the club will make a payment of £24.5 million for the early termination of the deal.
Shares in the sportswear firm dived by six per cent yesterday after the news was announced.
In Brief . . .
Nicolas Anelka's proposed move to Fenerbahce is in danger of falling through because the Turkish club are struggling to raise the £7 million fee wanted by Manchester City . . . Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard has emerged as England fans' player of 2004, beating Wayne Rooney into second place . . . Norwich boss Nigel Worthington has expressed an interest in Manchester United winger Kieran Richardson . . Burnley manager Steve Cotterill insists he is under no pressure to sell Richard Chaplow to West Brom, who are offering Irish midfielder James O'Connor - currently on loan at Turf Moor - and Rob Hulse plus cash for the midfielder . . .Bolton defender Tal Ben Haim has denied a charge of improper conduct relating to his clash with Wayne Rooney last month . . . Birmingham striker Clinton Morrison has admitted a charge of improper conduct following an incident with Bolton's Nicky Hunt.
