MacLeod: Brentford are on the verge of signing highly-rated Rangers midfielder Lewis MacLeod, reports said yesterday. A fee of around £1m is reported to have been agreed between the two clubs, with MacLeod due in west London for a medical. Former Rangers captain David Weir, assistant manager at Brentford, is thought to have recommended the 20-year-old to Bees boss Mark Warburton.

Ivory Coast: Manchester City’s Yaya Toure heads a list of four players from the Premier League included in the Ivory Coast squad for the African Nations Cup finals in Equatorial Guinea. French coach Herve Renard named his final 23-man selection for the tournament yesterday and also added Liverpool’s Kolo Toure for the final time as the defender will retire from international football after the event. Newcastle midfielder Cheick Tiote and Swansea City striker Wilfried Bony have also been included.

Carlisle: Stricken ex-footballer Clarke Carlisle is facing court action over an alleged drink driving offence after being charged just days before he was injured in a collision with a lorry. The 35-year-old former Burnley and QPR defender was seriously injured following the collision on December 22 and remains in a Leeds hospital. The Metropolitan Police have confirmed he was charged with failing to provide a sample on December 20 and is set to appear in court next month.

Montero: Swansea winger Jefferson Montero has been ruled out for around a month with a hamstring strain. The club announced on their official website the Ecua-dorian would face a lay-off after limping off during their 1-0 victory over Aston Villa on Boxing Day. The 25-year-old has enjoyed an excellent start to his Swans career, having joined in the summer from Mexican side Morelia.

Silver dies: Former Leeds United chairman Leslie Silver has died at the age of 89. Silver held the position between 1983 and 1996, presiding over the club’s return to the top flight and subsequent title success in 1992 – the last year before the Premier League started. The West Yorkshire club tweeted: “We are extremely saddened to learn of the passing away of former chairman Leslie Silver. Our thoughts are with his family and friends.”

Friendly: Paris SG vs Inter 1-0.

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