Today's other stories in brief
Hull hoping to land Campbell
Hull are confident of completing a deal for Manchester United's England Under-21 striker Fraizer Campbell in the near future.
The Tigers were given permission to speak to the 21-year-old after having a bid, thought to be a club record €7 million, accepted earlier this month.
Recent reports suggested the move had hit a snag due to complications over the final year of his United contract, but City are happy the player wants to join them.
Campbell – who played yesterday for England in the under-21 Euro Championship – had a successful loan spell at the KC Stadium during their 2007-08 promotion campaign. Campbell is not likely to be the only new face up front next season with the club recognising the need to bolster their firepower.
England made to work for victory
England’s under-21s battled to victory in their European Championship opener against Finland yesterday, despite playing for an hour with 10 men and seeing Theo Walcott replaced at half-time in Halmstad.
Micah Richards grabbed the winner for Stuart Pearce’s side at Orjans Vall after they had Michael Mancienne sent off for a professional foul after Lee Cattermole had given them the lead.
Tim Sparv levelled from the penalty spot before seeing Walcott, his former Southampton team-mate, replaced at the interval.
Richards’ header after the break earned England a vital win as their other Group B opponents are Spain and Germany, who are expected to provide sterner tests.
Martinez deal finally complete
ROBERTO MARTINEZ has finally been named Wigan’s new manager on a three-year contract after negotiations with Swansea regarding his backroom staff were resolved.
The 35-year-old Spaniard was due to be unveiled last Thursday, but proceedings were delayed because of a wrangle over his support staff.
However, the clubs have now agreed further compensation for under-contract pair assistant manager Graeme Jones and chief scout Kevin Reeves as well as Martinez. Goalkeeping coach Inaki Bergara and masseur Oscar Brau are also moving to the DW Stadium.
“The club has always been close to my heart,” said Martinez. “I am looking forward to getting stuck in and taking on teams in the best league in the world.”
Pavlyuchenko and Bent to move on
GERMAN club Stuttgart are ready to offer Roman Pavlyuchenko an escape route from Tottenham, while Darren Bent is also expected to leave White Hart Lane this summer.
Pavlyuchenko is one of the strikers Stuttgart are considering, according to their director of sport Horst Heldt, as a replacement for Mario Gomez after the Germany forward joined Bayern Munich.
“Pavyluchenko is an interesting player and we have discussed his name internally,” Heldt said.
Pavlyuchenko scored 14 goals during his rookie season in England but struggled to command a regular place, with former Spurs goalkeeper Cesar Sanchez suggesting it was “impossible” to communicate with him unless speaking Russian.
Bent also reached double figures in the last campaign, scoring 17 times, but is expected to be allowed to leave Spurs two years after arriving for €19.5 million two years ago.
Sunderland have previously been linked with the England striker but nothing will happen while new boss Steve Bruce is away on holiday.
