More soccer news in brief.

Hughes eyes Ben Haim

MANCHESTER CITY manager Mark Hughes has confirmed his club are in talks with Chelsea to bring defender Tal Ben Haim to Eastlands.

Hughes has identified a small number of players he feels can help City to success in Europe and on the domestic stage this season.

And following discussions with executive chairman Garry Cook, Hughes believes Ben Haim can strengthen his defence.

The Israeli was in Manchester for talks yesterday and Hughes is hoping negotiations can be successfully concluded.

"We have made a bid," said the former Blackburn manager. "Discussions are taking place and hopefully that will be among a number of deals that we conclude before the transfer deadline."

Even if Ben Haim seals a move the former Bolton man would not come into contention for tomorrow's Uefa Cup qualifier with Faroe Island minnows EB/Streymur.

Defender Javier Garrido and striker Rolando Bianchi have still to get over minor niggles, while long-term absentee Valeri Bojinov is pencilled-in to face Stockport on Saturday.

With new signing Jo on Olympic duty with Brazil and Benjani also on the injured list, youngsters Ched Evans and Daniel Sturridge will come into contention for the match with City leading 2-0 following the first leg.

Eagles flies off to Burnley

MANCHESTER UNITED winger Chris Eagles has joined Championship club Burnley on a three-year deal for an undisclosed fee believed to be in excess of €1 million.

Eagles (22) joined the Premier League champions at the age of 14 but has failed to establish himself as a regular part of Alex Ferguson's first-team plans.

And despite being prominent in United's pre-season campaign, scoring against Kaizer Chiefs and Portsmouth on their tour of Africa, Eagles has finally called time on his Old Trafford career.

The Manchester United academy graduate, who enjoyed previous loan spells at Watford, Sheffield Wednesday and Dutch outfit NEC Nijmegen, becomes Burnley's sixth summer signing.

Euro 2008 was 'best' yet

EURO 2008 organisers have claimed they hosted the best European Championships to date after Uefa announced the tournament generated record net profits of €250 million.

Austria and Switzerland were commended for their organisation of the tournament, which also benefited from some entertaining football on the pitch. "We set ourselves the challenge of organising the best European Championship final round," read a joint statement from Austrian Football Association president Friedrich Stickler, his Swiss counterpart Ralph Zloczower and Euro 2008 chief operating officer Martin Kallen.

Some of the income will be used to fund youth and women's tournaments and the rest will be distributed among Uefa's 53 member associations in the form of lump-sum payments and project sponsorship.

Rangers duo set to return

RANGERS SHOULD have midfielders Kevin Thomson and Lee McCulloch available for tonight's Champions League qualifier against FBK Kaunas at Ibrox. Both missed Saturday's friendly at Raith Rovers, McCulloch suffering from a throat infection and Thomson nursing a slight knee knock. Their availability will bolster Walter Smith's midfield options in the absence of injured skipper Barry Ferguson, who has an ankle injury. Carlos Cuellar misses out after sustaining a calf injury but could be fit in time for next week's return leg in Lithuania.

PROVISIONAL SQUAD:McGregor, Whittaker, Weir, Dailly, Papac, McCulloch, Thomson, Hemdani, Novo, Velicka, Miller, Alexander, Boyd, Lafferty, Broadfoot, Cousin, Darcheville, Adam, S Smith.