Saturday May 10, 2008
Crystal Palace: Noble's late strike wins it for Bristol City
Bristol City beat won 2-1 in the first leg of their Championship play-off at Selhurst Park.

Louis Carey put the Robins ahead early in the second half, but his trip on Jose Fonte gave Ben Watson the chance to level matters from the penalty spot with just minutes remaining.

But David Noble popped up in injury time to rifle home a stunning 25-yard strike and give Gary Johnson's side the advantage heading into next week's second leg.

QPR: Bernie denies Zidane link
Bernie Ecclestone insists reports linking Zinedine Zidane with the manager's role at QPR are wrong.

The French World Cup winner was linked with a move to Loftus Road last following Luigi de Canio's departure from the club on Thursday.

But co-owner Ecclestone, insists: "I can say 100 per cent categorically 'no' to stories that we have spoken to Zidane. We have known for six months that the coach would be leaving and we have to draw up the shortlist, but Zidane's name is not on it."

Watford: Form 'counts for nothing'
Striker Tommy Smith believes recent form will count for nothing as they prepare to host Hull in the first leg of the play-offs.

A poor end-of-season run saw them win just one of their last 14 games and scrape into the play-offs - by just one goal.

But former Sunderland and Derby man ace Smith: "It's always great to have form, but in these situations it counts for nothing, everything goes out of the window and thankfully that will suit us right now."

Norwich: Roeder's tough decision on Huckerby
Glenn Roeder said he had to think long and hard before deciding not to offer Darren Huckerby a new contract.

The winger is being released after four-and-a-half years at Carrow Road, and Norwich manager Roeder told BBC Radio Norfolk rumours that he and Huckerby did not get on were wide of the mark.

"Contrary to reports of negative people who would like to drive a wedge between myself and Hucks, we got on very well," said Roeder. "I've targeted one or two exceptionally talented players that play in a similar position to Hucks that are maybe five, six or seven years younger."

Hull: Brown wants to 'do a Boothroyd'
Boss Phil Brown wants to emulate Watford counterpart Adrian Boothroyd's achievements on the eve of the play-off semi-final, first-leg clash between the two.

Boothroyd helped the Hornets reach the Premier League with promotion via the play-offs two years ago and Brown said: "He (Boothroyd] has already sampled something I haven't and that's promotion to the Premier League.

"He's already had a year in the Premier League, so he's got more experience than I have in terms of management. I would like to achieve what he's achieved so far."

Friday May 9, 2008
Burnley: Harley leaves Burnley
Jon Harley has left the club after failing to agree terms on a new deal.

The former Chelsea defender was one of five players offered a new contract by manager Owen Coyle at the end of the season.

But Harley turned down the offer and Coyle said: "We offered John a new deal and unfortunately we cannot agree terms. Subsequently, he will be moving on."

Stoke City: Lawrence to undergo surgery
Midfielder Liam Lawrence will undergo surgery on Tuesday for a long-standing groin problem.

The 26-year-old, who finished the season as City's joint leading scorer with 15 goals, is expected to be fit for the start of the Potters summer Premier League preparations.

He said: "I've had a double hernia that's been bothering me for a year or so now. It's something that really needs sorting."

Bristol City: We can defy the detractors - Johnson
Gary Johnson believes City can continue to defy their detractors.

The Robins were rank outsiders for promotion at the start of the campaign and Johnson believes his side have proved the role of underdogs suits them.

They face a play-off semi-final first-leg against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park and Johnson said: "People are still trying to write us off. Even though there are only four teams involved, we are still not mentioned until late on."

Wolves: Five up for sale and Breen to leave
Wolves have given a free transfer to former captain Gary Breen and made five more players available for offers.

Jay Bothroyd, Rob Edwards, Darren Potter, Darren Ward and Stephen Elliott have all been put up for sale.

Wolves boss Mick McCarthy said: "We want to freshen things up so we need to generate places for new players by listing some of the existing squad."

Hull City: Tigers to use Arsenal's facilities
The Tigers will use Arsenal's training facilities ahead of their play-off clash against Watford on Sunday.

They will spend the day prior to game at the London Colney complex.

City boss Phil Brown told BBC Radio Humberside: "Arsene Wenger's provided his training ground, so we're doing it as professionally as possible."

Midfielder Jay Jay Okocha will undergo a final fitness check there and is expected to play some part.

Crystal Palace: Wants another taste of Premier league
Midfielder Ben Watson is desperate for another taste of life in the Premier League.

The 22-year-old was part of the Palace side which lasted just one season in the top-flight in 2004/05 before missing out on an immediate return after losing in the play-off semi-final to Watford a year later.

The Eagles head into their play-off semi-final first-leg against Bristol City on the back of just one defeat in 12 league games, and Watson said: "We haven't achieved anything yet. Everyone knows that and it's down to us now to achieve it. Let's go and get in the Premier League."

Leicester City: Hollway in crunch talks with owner
Ian Holloway will meet owner Milan Mandaric on Monday for talks that could decide his future at the Walkers Stadium.

The Foxes were relegated to League One on the final weekend of the season and Mandaric has been thinking over the future of the club.

Under-fire boss Holloway said: "Milan's been in America with his family but I'm going to see him on Monday. The papers have been speculating about my future, but there's bigger things at stake than Ian Holloway. It's not about my future, it's about Leicester."

Thursday May 8, 2008
QPR: De Canio leaves Loftus Road
First-team coach Luigi De Canio has left the club by mutual consent.

The Italian took charge at Loftus Road at the end of October with the club languishing in the bottom three.

A QPR statement said: "The club would like to place on the record their thanks to Luigi for his contribution to QPR and wish him all the best for a successful future."

Wolves: Eastwood is for sale, says McCarthy
Mick McCarthy has confirmed striker Freddy Eastwood is available for transfer.

The Wales international, who made 35 appearances this season, scoring four goals, almost joined Coventry on loan in January before Wanderers pulled out of a deal at the 11th hour.

McCarthy said: "It's nothing personal, it's just not worked out how either I, or Freddy, would have liked. I thought he would fit into my team but he hasn't. He wants to play and he'll do well somewhere else."

West Brom: Mowbray named as top boss
Tony Mowbray has been named the Championship Manager of the Month for April.

Mowbray guided the Baggies to three wins, three draws and one defeat last month and followed that up by securing the title with a 2-0 win at QPR on the final day of the season.

Hull: Okocha wants Premier League return
Veteran midfielder Jay-Jay Okocha admits the chance to return to the Premier League with Hull would prove too good to turn down.

The Tigers face Watford in the play-off semi-finals, and the 34-year-old admits a Wembley success would leave him with a simple choice to make.

"I think that will make my decision easy," said Okocha, whose current 12-month contract expires in the summer. "It would be nice to finish on a high. I feel very comfortable here and feel at home here."

West Brom: Baggies linked to Poland midfielder
Groclin Dyskobolia sporting director Tadeusz Fajfer claims Baggies are interested in signing highly-rated Poland midfielder Radoslaw Majewski.

Reports in Poland claim Albion officials are set for talks with the Polish club about the 21-year-old, who has been capped three times by his country.

Fajfer confirmed Baggies were monitoring the player, saying: "We are aware that West Bromwich have looked at Radoslaw and are interested, but as yet there have not been any discussions."

Southampton: Consortium 'has funds to buy club'
A consortium hoping to buy Saints has secured the funds to mount a bid for the Championship outfit, according to BBC Radio Solent.

It says a group led by barrister Jonathan Fulthorpe is close to tabling a full offer.

If the bid stalls, former Saints chairmen Michael Wilde and Rupert Lowe are poised to take control of the club ahead of a planned EGM on May 16. They control 46% of the shares in parent company Southampton Leisure Holdings plc.

Leicester City: Worley signs from Chelsea
The Foxes have completed the permanent signing of Harry Worley from Chelsea on a three-year deal.

The 19-year-old defender joined on loan in March and made his first start in the 0-0 draw at Stoke on Sunday.

He said: "Relegation is a blow but I'm still young and enthusiastic, and determined to play my part in helping the club get back up to the Championship."

Coventry: Schmeichel close to signing
The Sky Blues are hopeful of signing goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel on a permanent deal from Manchester City.

The 21-year-old impressed during a loan spell, and chairman Ray Ranson insists the keeper wants to stay at Coventry and all that remains is to agree a fee with the Premier League club.

"We want to sign him and he wants to come," Ranson told said. "We have drawn up a package which, in principle, he is happy with and we just have to agree a fee with Manchester City now."

Hull: Kalou is a target
Boss Phil Brown has admitted striker Bonaventure Kalou is one of several players he is interested in taking to the KC Stadium.

But Brown concedes no decision will be made on the 30-year-old Ivory Coast international - who is a free agent - until the club know which division they will be operating in next season.

"He is on our radar but we're looking at a number of players," Brown said.

West Brom: Greening wants backing for Mowbray
Skipper Jonathan Greening is calling on chairman Jeremy Peace to back manager Tony Mowbray with his summer transfer targets.

Greening expects Mowbray to keep faith with the majority of the squad which gained promotion but hopes Peace will give Mowbray 100 per cent support.

Greening said: "It will be interesting to see if the chairman backs the gaffer to the full. We hope he does that."

Blackpool: 11 players are released
Blackpool have released 11 players after securing their Championship survival.

Club captain Michael Jackson, Kiegan Parker and Michael Flynn are among those looking for new clubs.

"We've had to release some very established first team players," said boss Simon Grayson. "But the decisions are made to try and bring in some better players to keep progressing as a football club."

Colchester: Three players released
Colchester United have released another three players following their relegation.

Defenders Adam Virgo and Bela Balogh will return to their parent clubs after long-term loans and Danny Granville is on his way after one year with the U's.

Another four players - Kevin Watson, Luke Guttridge, Tom Devaux and Tom Webb - were told they would be released from Layer Road last week.