FA to pass judgment on Keane

NEWS ROUND-UP: Roy Keane will find out next week whether the English FA considers he has brought the game into disrepute with his admission in his biography that he had deliberately fouled Manchester City's Alf-Inge Haaland in April 2001.

English FA chief executive Adam Crozier said yesterday: "We've spoken to both Manchester City and Manchester United over the past few days and some time ago we wrote to Roy, asking him for his observations as well.

"He was given the normal, fair 14 days to reply to that - which is due up at the beginning of next week. As soon as we've got that, having now read the book and looked at everything, we'll make a decision."

Crozier had initially said he wanted to read the passage in context before forming an opinion. Asked yesterday if, having done so, he was still concerned at the passage on the foul on Haaland, he said: "That will become apparent next week when we decide what to do."

Meanwhile, Keane, who was reported to be lining up an operation on his troublesome knee, will not have the operation in the short term, according to manager Alex Ferguson.

The Old Trafford side are close to signing the Valladolid goalkeeper Ricardo, according to reports in Spain. Talks about the Spanish international's transfer are "very advanced", according to Radio Marca, although no fee has been agreed. The Spanish club want €4 million while United are offering €3 million.

Faustino Asprilla was yesterday granted a work permit and, providing he passes a medical at Darlington this morning, will sign for the Third Division club. Darlington's next match is at Kidderminster Harriers on Saturday, but a Darlington spokesman said Asprilla is more likely to make his debut at home to Wrexham the following Friday.

Asprilla (32) is expected to sign a two-year contract and will be the biggest signing in Darlington's history. His presence will help when Darlington move to their new stadium around Christmas and the spokesman also said the Colombian would be a "massive boost to the Third Division".

West Bromwich Albion have agreed a fee with Tranmere Rovers for the transfer of Jason Koumas. The midfielder will discuss personal terms and have a medical this morning after West Brom agreed to pay Tranmere £1.125 million immediately, a further £1.125 million in 12 months' time and another £250,000 when the player makes his 75th appearance. Koumas turned down the chance to move to the Hawthorns earlier this year when the clubs agreed a fee of £2.75 million, although the guaranteed money Tranmere would have received then was less.

The former Tottenham striker Chris Armstrong has joined Bolton. Armstrong (31) was released by Spurs in the summer and has been without a club since.

Newcastle have blamed Feyenoord's refusal to part with their Australian midfielder Brett Emerton for less than £9 million as the cause for the deal's collapse. Newcastle offered £8 million, but the Dutch club claimed talks stalled because United wanted to pay for the 23-year-old in instalments.