Keane continues to spend

Soccer DigestSunderland manager Roy Keane yesterday continued his spending spree when he paid €2.2 million for Norwich City midfielder Dickson Etuhu.

The 25-year-old Nigerian is Keane's fifth summer signing and takes his investment so far this summer to around €24 million.

Etuhu arrived on Wearside this morning for a medical and has signed a four-year contract.

Meanwhile, Roy Keane is refusing to give up hope of landing Leighton Baines (22) despite already having three bids rejected by Wigan for the full back.

Keane said: "Just because a club says a player is not for sale - if that was the case, nobody would ever move club."

Wolves bring Irish flavour

Wolves manager Mick McCarthy will bring a squad that includes a fair sprinkling of young Irish talent to the Carlisle Grounds this evening (kick-off 7.45) as the club takes on Bray Wanderers in a testimonial game for long-serving player Kieran "Tarzan" O'Brien, writes Emmet Malone.

Andy Keogh, Stephen Ward and Darren Potter are included in the English Championship side's squad of 22 for the trip which will also include a game against Bohemians at Dalymount Park on Sunday afternoon.

O'Brien is being honoured by Wanderers after a career during which he played 374 games and scored 90 goals.

He will, perhaps, be best remembered by supporters for his late equaliser against Finn Harps in the 1999 FAI Cup final replay. Bray went on to win the trophy in a second replay.

Meanwhile, Wolves were last night on the verge of signing Republic of Ireland striker Stephen Elliott from Sunderland. The 23-year-old is expected to sign a three-year deal. It is anticipated he will join the Wolves touring squad in Ireland today

United draw in Japan

Manchester United's Far East tour opened in disappointing fashion as J-League champions Urawa Red Diamonds held their Premiership League counterparts in Saitama.

Second-half strikes from Darren Fletcher and Cristiano Ronaldo appeared to have saved Edwin van der Sar's blushes after the goalkeeper gifted Hideki Uchidate a 25th-minute opener. But midfielder Shinji Ono finished off a superb solo effort near the end to earn the Reds a draw, no mean feat considering three of their key men are currently aiding Japan's Asian Cup bid.

No end in sight for Maze

Plans to build a multi-sports stadium at the former Maze Prison site cannot go ahead until questions over Windsor Park's future are resolved, it was claimed yesterday.

Assembly sports committee member David McNarry was speaking after it emerged the IFA had written to Linfield about the use of the ground for international games.

The Belfast club has another 80 years of its contract to host Northern Ireland games left to run and there have been threats of a compensation battle if that contract is breached.

McNarry said: "It would be morally and legally difficult to be taking decisions which would hang Windsor Park out to dry. If the IFA are saying that there are safety problems we have really got to look at their agenda - is it to wriggle out of a contract or is it because they have genuine concerns?"

In brief . . .

Manchester City have signed Brazilian midfielder Geovannion a one-year contract, the 27-year-old last played for Brazilian club Cruzeiro . . . Aston Villa have announced the signing of 27-year-old striker Marlon Harewoodfrom West Ham for an undosclosed fee . . . Everton have opened negotiations with Switzerland international Johann Vogel(30) with a view to signing the former AC Milan and Real Betis midfielder on a free transfer . . . Argentina captain Roberto Ayalasaid yesterday he has retired from international soccer, the 34-year-old made the announcement after signing a three-contract with Real Zaragoza . . . Danish side Aalborg BK have signed Wigan Athletic's Swedish international midfielder Andreas Johansson(29) on a three-year contract . . .Striker Nicolas Anelkasteered Bolton into Saturday's final of the Peace Cup in South Korea by scoring two goals against La Liga side Racing Santander to secure a 2-1 victory.