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Today's other stories in brief

Barcelona must wait for Robinho

BARCELONA have not approached Manchester City about forward Robinho since the summer, according to sporting director Txiki Begiristain.

City manager Hughes denied recent talk of a possible deal between the two teams for the Brazil star, saying he was “not in the process of taking outstanding players out of the team”.

Begiristain told www.elmundodeportivo.es: “Robinho is an interesting player who we asked about in the summer. But City would not talk about a transfer and since then we have not made any move.”

Robinho joined Manchester City in summer 2008 from Barca’s arch rivals Real Madrid.

FULHAM manager Roy Hodgson has turned down offers to become the coach of Sweden and Norway.

Strachan top of the list to take over at Middlesbrough

GORDON STRACHAN has emerged as the clear favourite to succeed Gareth Southgate as Middlesbrough’s manager and could be installed at The Riverside by this afternoon.

Steve Gibson, Boro’s chairman, is understood to have already lined up Strachan when, at around midnight last night, he sacked Southgate following the team’s 2-0 home win over Derby County.

Gibson told the club’s website: “As difficult a decision as it was to make, the decision was made before last night’s match. One good result wasn’t going to change it.

“We already had a strategy for Gareth’s replacement. The timing of Gareth’s sacking was determined a little by the implementation of that strategy.”

Gibson said he sacked Gareth Southgate because he feared the club would fail to win promotion back to the Premier League this season. “In general the results and the performances have not been to the level I would have hoped for,” he added.

Best a doubt for World Cup play-offs

COVENTRY City striker Leon Best has emerged as an injury worry for the Republic of Ireland’s World Cup play-offs against France. Best limped out of Tuesday’s defeat at Cardiff with a knee injury and left the stadium on crutches.

His club are waiting to discover the full extent of the injury with a scan scheduled for today but manager Chris Coleman admitted the initial prognosis was not encouraging.

“We are not sure how long he is going to be out for,” said Coleman. “His knee has swollen up badly and we won’t be banking on him returning soon. H’s a tough kid but it doesn’t look too good. It’s a real worry.”

Best has yet to break his international duck but has won five caps under Giovanni Trapattoni, the most recent coming in the final qualifier against Montenegro at Croke Park.

Ireland face France on, Saturday, November 14th at Croke Park, with the return leg taking place at the Stade de France four days later.

Rangers slam Edu abuse

RANGERS have condemned the “moronic behaviour” of supporters alleged to have racially abused Maurice Edu after Tuesday’s Champions League thrashing by Unirea Urziceni.

United States midfielder Edu, 23, played no part in the 4-1 Group G defeat but watched the match at Ibrox and says he was targeted by his own club’s supporters as he left the stadium.

A statement released by the Ibrox club read: “Rangers Football Club condemns out of hand this moronic behaviour.The action of this individual is disgusting and completely unacceptable.

“It is extremely disappointing that people such as this tarnish the image of the club and its fans.

“The club will now undertake a full investigation to identify the individual in question and take appropriate action.”

Newcastle to pay Keegan's costs

NEWCASTLE have been ordered to pay all of Kevin Keegan’s costs in his successful claim against the club for constructive dismissal — a sum which could reach €1.6million.

Keegan left the club in September last year after the club signed Uruguayan midfielder Ignacio Gonzalez against his wishes.

An arbitration tribunal earlier found in Keegan’s favour and yesterday ordered Newcastle to pay costs and interest on award.