Carroll: Swansea City have signed Tottenham Hotspur’s midfielder Tom Carroll on loan for the rest of the season. Carroll has played seven Premier League games for Tottenham and also appeared for them in the Europa League but has found it hard to establish himself in the first team. The 22-year-old, an England Under-21 international, has previously been loaned to Leyton Orient, Derby County and Queens Park Rangers.
Guarin: Zenit St Petersburg have emerged as the likely destination for want-away Inter midfielder Fredy Guarin. Reports said the Colombia international and his agent had talks with Zenit who are open to meeting Inter’s asking price of €16m. Man. United were reportedly interested in Guarin.
De Jong: Summer signing Siem de Jong could be handed a Premier League debut as Newcastle head for Aston Villa today. Former Ajax midfielder De Jong is available after missing the opener against Manchester City with the foot injury he suffered in pre-season, and will be joined in the squad by loan striker Facundo Ferreyra for the first time.
Rhodes: Blackburn have rejected an initial bid from Hull for striker Jordan Rhodes. Rovers manager Gary Bowyer revealed this week that the Tigers had lodged an enquiry for Rhodes, who has scored 53 goals in 99 games for the East Lancashire outfit, and that the offer would be passed on to the club’s owners. However, the Championship club have since confirmed that Hull’s approach has been turned down.
Ricoh return: Coventry fans have welcomed the Sky Blues’ return to the Ricoh Arena. The Sky Blue Trust called the move a “victory for common sense” after the club agreed a two-year deal with ground owners Arena Coventry Limited. Coventry will play their first League One game back at the Ricoh against Gillingham on Sept. 5, to end their 13-month exile in Northampton.
Women’s WCup: England are optimistic a fourth FIFA Women’s World Cup campaign can be their most successful yet, as Mark Sampson’s team made sure of qualification. A 4-0 win over Wales means England have qualified for Canada 2015 with a game to spare. They head to Montenegro next month aiming to complete a perfect 10 out of 10 record after nine straight victories to date.