Burnley boss Sean Dyche is working to try to keep Michael Keane at the club with his defensive resources stretched to the limit.
Keane’s loan from Man. United is due to run out at the weekend but he is currently the only fit centre-half Dyche has at his disposal.
Dyche will continue discussions with United with the aim either of extending Keane’s loan for the rest of the season or signing him on a permanent basis.
“We’re looking at that situation,” said the Burnley boss.
“That’s been ongoing ever since he’s been here. It’s a discussion we’ll have with him and United.”
No decision on Evans future
Talks on convicted rapist Ched Evans signing for Oldham have concluded yesterday without a decision being taken on his future.
The Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) and the club had begun drawing up a joint statement but several issues remain to be settled and discussions will continue today.
The League One club confirmed on Monday that they are considering taking the controversial step of offering Evans a route back into professional football and it is believed Oldham are seeking further assurances from the PFA and other authorities.
Champagne backs GB World Cup bid
FIFA presidential hopeful Jerome Champagne would be in favour of Britain uniting to stage a joint World Cup bid for 2030.
While FIFA has been at odds with the FA for some time, Champagne – a former diplomat who joined the governing body in 1999 – would support a truce between the two parties.
“I know what British people have done for the game,” he said.
“We must reconcile. I hope we can do that through the World Cup.
“I would like to see a joint bid from all the UK nations. Why? It will be an opportunity to pay a form of tribute to all that we owe to British football.”
Rangers reject Sarver lifeline
Troubled Scottish club Rangers said they had rejected a possible takeover offer from Robert Sarver, the owner of the Phoenix Suns basketball team, as it did not adequately value a controlling interest in the club.
Sarver had proposed an £18m offer for a controlling stake in Rangers via a share placing.
On Monday Rangers accepted an emergency loan of £500,000 from its chairman to remain afloat for another few days but has said it will need further funding before the end of January.
The 54-times Scottish cham-pions said it welcomed Sarver’s approach but believed it undervalued a controlling interest in the company and that a resolution to approve the placing was unlikely to be sufficiently backed.
Defender Reid likely to leave Hammers
West Ham United manager Sam Allardyce believes defender Winston Reid has probably already agreed to play somewhere else next season.
The 26-year-old New Zealand international is out of contract in the summer, and has so far failed to agree new terms at Upton Park.
Allardyce now feels the player has decided to further his career elsewhere, with Arsenal touted as a possible destination.
“(With) what other managers are telling me it doesn’t bode well. Who knows? Only Winston and his agent can decide at the end,” said Allardyce.
“But from what other people are telling me, what is going on in the world of football makes it difficult to think he is going to stay here.”
Tickets for match that never was
Accrington Stanley are selling tickets for an FA Cup match against Manchester United that never took place and plan to use the money raised to help strengthen their squad.
League Two Accrington lost their chance to host United in the third round last weekend after losing to Yeovil Town in a replay.
Third tier Yeovil attracted a full house of 9,000 for the game against United on Sunday to boost their coffers while Accrington hope to cash in on the match that never was by selling 250 souvenir tickets for 20 pounds each.
Chairman Peter Marsden said the money would go towards “strengthening the squad” for the rest of the season.
Accrington and United, whose grounds are 22 miles apart, have only met twice before when the Old Trafford club won 5-1 at home and drew 2-2 away in a two-legged FA Cup third round tie in 1946.
Adams resigns
Neil Adams has resigned as manager of Norwich City after nine months in charge, the English Championship club said.
Adams took over as manager of Norwich, who were relegated from the Premier League last season, on a permanent basis in May after a five-game spell as caretaker boss.
Norwich, who were knocked out of the FA Cup by League One side Preston North End in the third round on Saturday, are seventh with 37 points from 24 matches.
The 49-year-old Adams will take a break from the game before returning to Norwich in July in a role yet to be confirmed, the club said.