Baines to join Everton

Soccer Shorts: Everton have agreed a fee with Wigan Athletic for England under-21 defender Leighton Baines.

The left full back underwent a medical yesterday and was set to discuss personal terms with the club he supported as a boy.

The 22-year-old has been much in demand this summer and turned down a €8.8 million move to Roy Keane's Sunderland last month.

Platini voices concern

English soccer authorities should not allow foreign businessmen interested only in making "a quick buck" to take over their clubs, Uefa president Michel Platini said in a television interview to be broadcast today.

"I would be worried if I were English because of all the foreign ownership," the head of European soccer's governing body said in the interview to be aired on Sky News.

"They could be rich people coming to help English football and develop it, but they may just want to make a quick buck. I fear your clubs will lose identity. If it was in France, I would fight it."

Van Nistelrooy returns

Former Manchester United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy took a step closer towards a Netherlands return yesterday.

The Real Madrid forward was named by national coach Marco van Basten in a 33-man provisional squad for the friendly against Switzerland on August 22nd.

Van Nistelrooy (31) is included for the first time since the 2006 World Cup finals after coming out of international retirement at the end of May after making his peace with van Basten.

Injury setback for Given

Shay Given is rated as doubtful for the start of the Premier League season after aggravating an old groin injury in Sunday's pre-season friendly win over Sampdoria, writes Emmet Malone.

The 31-year-old limped out of the game before the end of the first half to be replaced by long-serving number two Steve Harper.

Manager Sam Allardyce admitted afterwards that he was unsure whether the Donegal man would now be fit to face Bolton Wanderers this weekend.

If he does miss the Premier League game, Given would become a major doubt for Ireland's friendly against Denmark in Aarhus later this month. Given spent a protracted period on the sidelines last season during which time he was initially replaced by Paddy Kenny.

African stadia unsafe

Only 18 African countries visited by Fifa have soccer stadiums safe enough to allow them to host World Cup qualifiers, the world governing body announced yesterday.

Fifa officials completed an inspection of 50 of the continent's 53 football playing nations in June. They did not visit Kenya, Somalia or 2010 World Cup hosts South Africa.

The inspections follow Fifa's decision last year to insist on better safety standards at international matches, particularly World Cup qualifiers.

Onwubiko answers call

Emeka Onwubiko will face his second game in 24 hours tonight when he links up with the Irish under-19 squad for a friendly clash against Chile in Athlone tonight (kick-off 7.30).

The Bray Wanderers striker was involved in club action yesterday when his side met Drogheda United at the Carlisle Grounds.

Nigerian-born Onwubiko (18) has been a regular fixture in Ireland underage sides in recent seasons but only received his citizenship this year so can play competitive games.

Irish manager Seán McCaffrey lost two players from his squad yesterday with David Hutton (Tottenham) and Brendan Moloney (Nottm Forest) withdrawn by their clubs.

Craig Mahon of Wigan Athletic and St Patrick's Athletic striker Daniel Corcoran have been drafted in.

Rovers beset by injuries

Having both lost ground to leaders Drogheda United in the league over the weekend, Shamrock Rovers and Bohemians turn their attention to the League Cup at Dalymount Park this evening (kick-off: 7.45) as the sides meet in the first of this season's semi-finals, reports Emmet Malone.

Rovers go into the game without long-term absentees Paul Shiels and Aidan Price; Dave Tyrrell is also out with a bruised toe, while Alan Reynolds and John Martin are cup-tied.

Bohemians must wait to see whether Stephen O'Donnell's international clearance comes through before finalising their squad.

Neither of the two sides has won the competition since the 1970s but whichever comes through this evening will play either UCD or Derry City in the final.

In brief . . .

Italian Serie B side Crotone's former AC Milan and Sampdoria goalkeeper Angelo Pagotto(33) faces a life ban for testing positive for cocaine for the second time, the Italian Olympic Committee (CONI) said yesterday . . . English Championship side Leicester Cityhave confirmed Donegal-born goalkeeper Conrad Logan(18) has been made available for loan

. . . Sol Campbellhas been confirmed as Portsmouth's captain for the new season, while his former Arsenal team-mate Kanuhas signed a one-year deal at Fratton Park . . . Xerezhave signed Liverpool reserve-team defender Miki Roque(19) on loan for the coming season, the Spanish second division side claimed yesterday.