Football news

Manager Ally McCoist believes Daniel Cousin will be just as influential second time around at Rangers if they can secure his return to Ibrox. The Gers are holding talks with the striker about a move back to the club he left in a reported £3m move to Hull in 2008.

McCoist said: “I’ve spoken to Daniel at great length over the last few days and he is very keen to come. I had a great relationship with Daniel and hopefully that can continue.”

If Cousin does return to Rangers, he faces an immediate ban for the red card he picked up in his last game for the Gers, a 4-2 win over Celtic in Aug. 2008.

Pozzo linked with Watford buy

Udinese owner Giampaolo Pozzo was yesterday mentioned in the Italian media with a takeover of English club Watford. Pozzo bought Udinese in 1986 but in recent years he’s also branched out into continental football.

In fact, Gazzetta dello Sport is suggesting that after venturing into the Spanish La Liga with a controlling stake in Granada and shares in Barcelona’s second club Espanyol, the Pozzo family are now keen in stepping into English football with Watford as their objective.

Watford are currently strug-gling to move away from the drop zone in the Championship.

Ream debut

Tim Ream could finally make his debut for Bolton in today’s crunch Premier League game against Wigan at the Reebok Stadium.

US centre-back Ream, whose move from the New York Red Bulls was confirmed over a fortnight ago, has started training with his new team-mates this week after all the paperwork relating to the deal was completed.

He is set to be part of the Wanderers matchday squad for the first time, along with fellow January recruit Ryo Miyaichi, the Japanese winger signed on loan from Arsenal for the rest of the season.

Coleman keen on Verheijen

Wales manager Chris Coleman is keen for Raymond Verheijen to be part of his backroom staff after holding talks with the outspoken Dutchman.

Verheijen was assistant manager under Coleman’s predecessor Gary Speed, and is a popular figure with senior players in the national squad.

Many had expected Verheijen to be dispensed with after he publicly expressed an interest in succeeding Speed, and with Coleman set to bring his former Fulham team-mate Kit Symons into the Wales set-up.

But Coleman said: “We’re very much looking for Verheijen staying. But we’ve only had one meeting. It was a productive meeting and we’ll speak again. It was promising.”

Giggs’ new deal

Manchester United midfielder Ryan Giggs has signed a one-year contract extension.

The deal means the 38-year-old is set to play in a 22nd season for the Old Trafford club, for whom he made his debut in March 1991.

In that time he has made a club record 898 appearances, scoring 162 goals, and won 12 Premier League titles, four FA Cups, three League Cups, two Champions Leagues, one Super Cup, an Intercontinental Cup and a FIFA Club World Cup.

Giggs said: “When I signed my first contract, I never thought I’d be able to play at United for 22 years but I feel good and I know I can still contribute to keeping the team pushing for honours.”

Capello not in Inter plans

Inter president Massimo Moratti insists he is not considering Fabio Capello as a replacement for coach Claudio Ranieri.

Inter have had four coaches since Jose Mourinho left for Real Madrid in 2010, but Moratti claims the club will keep faith with Ranieri.

In a statement on the club’s official website, the president said the rumours of a possible change of coach now or at the end of the season “are totally groundless”.

He added speculation about Capello taking over is “also groundless”.

Capello has previously coached Milan, Roma and Juventus in Serie A.

Babbel new Hoffenheim coach

Hoffenheim yesterday confirmed that former Hertha Berlin manager Markus Babbel has taken over the reins from just sacked Holger Stanislawski.

Former Bayern Munich and Liverpool star Babbel, 39, started out as a coach at Stuttgart before a spell with Hertha which ended in December when he was fired after falling out with officials having previously guided the capital club to promotion.

Babbel, who was on the Germany side which won Euro 96, is to sign a deal through to June 2014, Hoffenheim said.

He will be in the team dugout for today’s visit to Werder Bremen.