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Football News and Instant Reports

Redknapp relieved to see transfer window shut
Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp has revealed he was "driven mad" by the transfer window and expressed his relief it is finally closed.

Palace sign Vaughan on loan deal
Crystal Palace secure the services of Everton striker James Vaughan on a three-month loan deal.

Lennon looking to kick on
Neil Lennon has welcomed the closure of the transfer window as he can now focus his full attention on results.

Scots relaxed at England prospect
Billy Stark says Scotland Under-21s will be underdogs in Friday's European Championship play-off draw, which includes England.

Galliani defends Huntelaar exit
AC Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani defended the club´s decision to sell Holland striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar to Schalke 04, claiming that whatever they do, someone is always unhappy.

Gallardo glovework doing Spain proud
Dolores Gallardo was a rock between the sticks for Spain in their opener against Japan and is hoping for more of the same, as FIFA.com found out.

FIFA Inspection Delegation Visits Five US Cities As Part Of World Cup Bid
The FIFA delegation landed in New York on Monday.

Ben Arfa plans to feed Carroll
Haten Ben Arfa is planning to provide the ammunition which will make Andy Carroll a fearsome frontman.

Kilbane wary of Russia test
Kevin Kilbane expects a backlash from Russia in next month's Euro 2012 qualifier with Republic of Ireland.

Everton striker Vaughan joins Palace on loan
Crystal Palace have signed Everton striker James Vaughan on a three-month loan deal.

Owen still has ambitions of adding to England caps
Manchester United Michael Owen Everton Manchester United striker Michael Owen has not given up hope, after two years out of England international action, of adding to his 89 caps. The 30 year old has rarely figured on Fabio Capello's radar since he became national team manager three years ago. Owen, however, still believes he has something to offer, now he has shaken off a groin injury. But in a question and answer session - as part of a Manchester United education initiative - with pupils from Manchester's Mount Carmel RC Primary School, Owen made it clear he would love to be involved again. He said: "I've got 89 caps so far. I played for England for many years, starting when I was 18. "I played basically right the way through until about two years ago, which was my last game. So hopefully I will play for them again one day, you never know." Owen then revealed that he arrives for training 45 minutes ahead of schedule. He said: "I've had my fair share (of injuries) but also had plenty of games. When I look back and see the amount of matches I have played at club level, international level, I do not feel harshly treated by too many injuries. "I get in about 9am. I do all my preparation work for training for 45 minutes. I see the physio and we make sure everything is in the right place and moving right. Then we start all together at 9:45." United face Everton at Goodison Park on Saturday and Owen told pupils they were his boyhood idols. "When I was growing up my sporting hero was always Gary Lineker, " he said. "I supported Everton when I was a little boy. "Now I am just impressed with anyone who does their sport at a high level. I know how hard it is. Asked what he would be if not a footballer, Owen added: "I would be a golfer as it is a game I like. Away from sport maybe something like a fireman or a policeman as I enjoy being outside."   Need your Manchester United news fix? Click here for all United news and transfer rumours.

Campbell eyes Magpies debut
Sol Campbell says he is "in with a shout" of making his Newcastle Untied debut against Blackpool on Saturday.

Sunderland to debut record signing Gyan at weekend
Sunderland Sunderland boss Steve Bruce hopes to give Asamoah Gyan his Black Cats debut at the weekend but must wait before the Ghana striker returns from international duty. The 24-year-old has yet to train with his new side following his £13million deadline-day move to the Black Cats and has been in Ghana for his country's African Cup of Nations qualifier against Swaziland. "I've got to wait for him to get back from international duty to see how he is," Bruce told the Evening Chronicle. "It's a long trip from Ghana and I will check on his condition when he walks through the door. "But if he is OK, there's every chance he will be involved at some stage at Wigan."   Need your Sunderland news fix? Click here for all Black Cats news and transfer rumours.

Aquilani would have had no problems staying at Liverpool
Juventus Liverpool Alberto Aquilani has revealed he would have been happy to have stayed at Liverpool this season after his surprise season-long loan move to Juventus. The Italian midfielder admits the move to Juventus came as a surprise as he was preparing himself for the new season at Anfield. However, the former Roma man conceded a move to Juventus was too good to turn down after a disappointing first season at Liverpool last term. "It was really fast, a blitz," Aquilani told Tuttosport. "One day I was speaking with [Roy] Hodgson and we were discussing Liverpool's season and three days later I found myself having a medical in Turin. "Liverpool counted on me and in the end I would also have stayed because at the end of last season I was getting in gear physically and I had played the last eight games of the campaign. "The fans had started to show me affection. Then this opportunity arrived and I didn't even need a minute to think about it. Liverpool wanted to only send me on loan, but [Juve general director, Beppe] Marotta insisted to have the option to buy." Aquilani is enjoying his early days in Turin and is relishing the prospect of playing for the Bianconeri. "Turin has made a beautiful impact on me," added Aquilani. "I also like the climate because with respect to Liverpool... "It's a beautiful city. I didn't expect it to be like this. It has been a positive surprise. "Juventus on the other hand aren't a surprise. I knew the city, but Juventus is Juventus just like you see on the outside. It's one of the most important clubs in the world."   Need your Liverpool news fix? Click here for all Reds news and transfer rumours.

Tottenham keeper returns from Northampton loan
Harry Redknapp Tottenham Swedish keeper Oscar Jansson has returned to Tottenham at the end of his loan spell with League Two outfit Northampton Town, reports BBC Sport. The 19-year-old made six appearances for the Cobblers, covering for injured first-choice stopper Chris Dunn. "He did very well for us and helped us out," said Cobblers boss Ian Sampson. "Chris is now fit again. He's our number one keeper and when he's fit he plays, so Oscar has gone back to Tottenham," Sampson added. "I'd like to thank Oscar for his hard work and commitment and also thank Harry Redknapp for allowing us to borrow him. "I hope he benefited from the experience of playing first-team football and from working with [Northampton's goalkeeping coach] Tim Flowers."   Need your Tottenham news fix? Click here for all Spurs news and transfer rumours.

Ben Arfa to provide the assists for Newcastle striker Carroll
Marseille Newcastle United Newcastle new boy Hatem Ben Arfa is planning to provide the service which will make Andy Carroll a fearsome frontman. The French winger recently completed a loan switch to St James' Park from Marseille and is due to see out the season on Tyneside. The 23-year-old is determined to prove his worth in the Premier League and believes Newcastle will provide him with the perfect platform on which to perform. Carroll already has four Premier League goals to his name and will undoubtedly have welcomed the arrival of a new winger to lay on further opportunities. That feeling is mutual, with Ben Arfa telling the Evening Chronicle: "I have seen Andy play in two matches so far and I have been very impressed with how hard he works for the team. "I think there are a lot of players in the side who have got that same work ethic as Andy. That brings a great quality to the team. "I want to start working hard now and provide the ammunition for people like Andy. I think there could be a lot of goals in the team."   Need your Newcastle United news fix? Click here for all Toon news and transfer rumours.

Bournemouth skipper relaxed over reported Middlesbrough interest
Bournemouth Middlesbrough Portsmouth Bournemouth captain Jason Pearce is remaining cool over speculation linking him with a move to Middlesbrough. Championship outfit Boro are thought to be interested as manager Gordon Strachan ponders strengthening his defence after a frustrating start to the season. However, the former Portsmouth youngster, now 22, has told skysports.com that he is focused on helping Bournemouth establish themselves in League One. "I've not heard anything about any type of interest in me to be honest and I'm not sure what to make of it because there is a lot of paper talk around this time of year and most of it is purely speculation anyway," he explained. "It is always nice to hear big clubs being linked with you in the papers, but I prefer to concentrate on doing well for Bournemouth."

Bruce the key for Bramble joining Sunderland
Manchester City Newcastle United Sunderland Wigan Athletic Sunderland defender Titus Bramble has said the lure of working with boss Steve Bruce was a key factor in his summer move from Wigan Athletic, reports BBC Sport. The 29 year old lists rivals Newcastle among his former clubs but was prepared to risk a negative response from fans to be reunited with his former mentor. "He's great, I love working with him," Bramble told BBC Newcastle. "It did cross my mind that I was ex-Newcastle United, but there was no doubt, I jumped at the chance." In four appearances for the club so far, Bramble has helped the club to two wins and a draw, including a 1-0 victory over Premier League title challengers Manchester City. "The fans have been fantastic to me, so that's made my life back in the North East much easier," Bramble added. "You don't know what kind of response you're going to get being an ex-Geordie, but even when I went to Portugal to meet the rest of the lads, the fans were fantastic with me. "It was a massive boost of confidence, I thought there would be a few boos, but they've been fantastic to me."   Need your Sunderland news fix? Click here for all Black Cats news and transfer rumours.

Forest chief executive warns owner could walk if fan abuse continues
Chief executive Mark Arthur believes Nottingham Forest owner Nigel Doughty could consider his future financial backing of the club if he continues to receive abuse. "Nigel has put in an average of £5million into the club every year over the past 10 years or so and having got Billy Davies as manager, last year his commitment was £13.4million," Arthur told the Nottingham Post. "That is double the amount of money we bring in from season ticket revenue and match-day ticket revenue. "For every pound supporters are putting in through the turnstiles, Nigel is putting in two. Whether he sustains it at that level in the future will be a question for him at the end of the season. "It is not very pleasant for him when he is putting in that level of money and still getting the level of abuse that he has recently received. It must make you think about things."

Pennant sees Stoke loan move as way back to Premier League
Real Zaragoza Liverpool Stoke City Jermaine Pennant is hoping his loan move to Stoke leads to a permanent transfer back to the Barclays Premier League. The 27-year-old is on loan from Real Zaragoza, the club he joined from Liverpool in the summer of 2009. "I've missed the Premier League," he told Sky Sports News. "I've also missed having a team meet and understanding the instructions I'm getting. "I'm just going to play the best I can and see what happens. "My first mission is to help Stoke climb the table. If in January I can get a permanent move, great. "The gaffer said he's hoping for a top-10 finish. He believes it and we believe it too." Pennant expects his old club Liverpool, who missed out on the top four last term, to have a much better season under new boss Roy Hodgson. "Liverpool's always going to be a massive club," he said. "Last season was very disappointing for them. "Roy's got a lot of players in. I'm sure they can go for the title and definitely finish in the top four."   Need your Stoke City news fix? Click here for all Potters news and transfer rumours.