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Kenny vows to repay supporters

PADDY KENNY has vowed to repay everyone who has stood by him during his drugs ban as he now looks to rebuild his career with club and country.

The Sheffield United and Republic of Ireland goalkeeper was banned by the English Football Association in September after a routine urine sample taken four months earlier was found to contain traces of ephedrine. Kenny, who admitted the charge, claimed he had taken tablets to help fight a chest infection.

The 31-year-old finally returned to action on Saturday, producing a man-of-the-match performance in a 2-0 win over Swansea at Bramall Lane.

“The game at the weekend made me realise how much I have missed playing, and the fans made it a very special day,” said Kenny.

“When I then ran down to the Kop ahead of the game I was emotional, but luckily enough I got through it.”

Carsley leaves Birmingham in search of first team play

AFTER A season dogged by injury, Lee Carsley has decided his future lies away from St Andrew’s. At 36, the veteran midfielder may be facing into his twilight years but is refusing to consider hanging up the boots just yet, writes Noel O’Reilly.

Instead, Carsley will leave Birmingham this summer in search of a new club and a fresh start. Carsley has made a meagre eight appearances in all competitions this term and hasn’t featured in the Premier League since November.

Given his advancing years, the former Everton, Blackburn and Derby player may find his options limited if he hopes to play again at the highest level. Nevertheless, he was linked with Wolves last season (although Mick McCarthy denied any interest at the time) while newly promoted West Brom could be interested in a player of his experience.

“I will now look to help another club achieve success and I relish another challenge,” said Carsley yesterday.

FA say Pompey bid bound to fail

THE PREMIER League and FA insist Portsmouth will fail in any attempt to take their fight to play in next season’s Europa League to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

Normally, Portsmouth would have qualified for Europe after reaching the FA Cup final but as the club are in administration they have been told the FA and league will not consider a late application for a Uefa club licence.

Pompey administrator Andrew Andronikou has said he will push ahead with an application anyway.

A joint statement by the FA and Premier League says Portsmouth have “manifestly” failed to achieve the criteria necessary for a Uefa club licence. The statement said: “In order for a club to obtain a Uefa club licence for the 2010/11 season they need to show that as of December 2009 they had no outstanding money owed to the tax authorities or football clubs. This is manifestly not the case for Portsmouth FC.”

Reid is aiming to make pre-season

SUNDERLAND MIDFIELDER Andy Reid is targeting the start of pre-season training after undergoing surgery on a persistent calf problem.

The 27-year-old Republic of Ireland international had an operation on Tuesday and is now facing a period of rehabilitation.

Manager Steve Bruce told the club’s website, www.safc.com: “All being well, he should be back in time for the start of pre-season training in July.”

Sunderland confirm Fulopoff to City

SUNDERLAND HAVE confirmed that goalkeeper Marton Fulop has joined Manchester City on an emergency loan deal.

The 26-year-old Hungary international travelled to Manchester yesterday morning and looks certain to play in the club’s final three games of the season.

However, the deal was only finalised yesterday afternoon after City’s failed bid to recall Joe Hart from his loan spell at Birmingham.

A statement on Sunderland’s official website, www.safc.com, said: “Contrary to reports elsewhere, the deal was not completed until this afternoon when final agreement was reached between the parties.”

Fulop had slipped to number three in the pecking order behind Craig Gordon and Trevor Carson at the Stadium of Light after expressing his desire for first-team football.

He has been drafted in by Roberto Mancini after Shay Given dislocated his shoulder against Arsenal.

Liverpool sign Charlton's Shelvey

LIVERPOOL HAVE sealed the signing of Charlton youngster Jonjo Shelvey for an initial fee of €2 million. The England under-17 international has passed a medical and agreed personal terms and will complete his move to Anfield on May 10th.

Reds managing director Christian Purslow told the club’s official website, www.liverpoolfc.tv: “Jonjo is an exciting young England international. His signing is part of our long-term strategic recruitment plan and we all look forward to welcoming him to Melwood (training ground).”

Shelvey made 48 appearances for Charlton since becoming their youngest ever player when he made his debut aged 16 years and 59 days in April 2008.