Soccer Shorts

Other soccer stories in brief

Keane appeals red card

Tottenham are appealing Robbie Keane's red card in Sunday's 3-2 defeat by Birmingham amid confusion over the process that led to the dismissal. Referee Phil Dowd gave Keane his marching orders for a clumsy lunge at Fabrice Muamba after initially appearing to consult the fourth official and linesman. But according to the body in charge of the Premier League's referees Dowd did not consult the fourth official before deciding to send off Keane against.

Professional Game Match Officials yesterday said Dowd did speak to fourth official Uriah Rennie at White Hart Lane after Keane's tackle on Fabrice Muamba. But rather than seeking guidance on whether or not to dismiss the striker, it is claimed Dowd was simply warning Rennie of what was to come.

United squad 'good enough'

Alex Ferguson has dropped the clearest hint yet January will be a quiet month on the transfer front for Manchester United. Given Louis Saha's horrific injury record, Dimitar Berbatov and Nicolas Anelka are the pair mentioned most often as potential purchases. But Ferguson said: "I think the squad is good enough. We don't always get great joy in January, I have to say."

Wolfsburg eye Lehmann

Wolfsburg coach Felix Magath will not discount a bid for Arsenal goalkeeper Jens Lehmann in January. Lehmann has not played for the Gunners since August after failing to reclaim the number one spot from Manuel Almunia. The German veteran is keen to play regular football in the second half of the season to boost his prospects of starting at Euro 2008. He has hinted at a return to the Bundesliga, with Wolfsburg rumoured to be among the clubs interested in him.

Takeover delay defended

One of Carson Yeung's top advisers has defended the delay over their takeover bid for Birmingham, insisting: "It is not like we are buying a television set." The Hong Kong businessman and his associates cannot understand why Birmingham's co-owners David Sullivan and David Gold are being "so negative" about the chances of him completing his buyout of the club. Yeung has until December 20th to acquire a controlling stake, but Sullivan and Gold both now say there is only a 10 per cent chance of the deal being completed and are preparing to continue running the club as before.

Coventry buy time

Coventry's board have confirmed they intend to put the club into administration. The cash-strapped Championship club are currently negotiating a takeover which they anticipate will be completed shortly, but they revealed in a statement yesterday they had "filed in court notices of intent to go into administration".

Coventry are 14th in the table but are in a perilous financial state with estimated debts of €53.5 million. "This legal notice gives Coventry City a 10-day window to complete the takeover talks with Ray Ranson and Sisu Capital, along with all other parties," the statement added.

Ipswich agree deal

The board of Championship side Ipswich have reached an agreement to sell 87.5 per cent of the club to media entrepreneur Marcus Evans. The plan to sell to Evans was announced in October by chairman David Sheepshanks and will see him clear the club's €45 million debt and invest a further €16 million into the Portman Road club.

Agbonlahor happy

Gabriel Agbonlahor has revealed his desire to sign a new contract with Aston Villa after Martin O'Neill committed his future to the club by turning down the chance to coach England. The six-goal leading scorer has been linked with a €21 million move to Arsenal after a string of impressive displays for Villa this season. The academy product said: "If a new contract is there, I would be happy to sign it."