A round-up of today's other soccer news
Versatile Tabb joins up with Coppell for a third time
FORMER IRISH under-21 international Jay Tabb trained with his new Reading team-mates for the first time yesterday after completing a move from Coventry City for an undisclosed fee, reports Emmet Malone.
Manager Steve Coppell has worked with the 24-year-old on two previous occasions, at Crystal Palace and Brentford and welcomed the arrival of such a versatile player as the club looks to push on and secure promotion back to the Premier league.
"He made an impression there (at Palace and Brentford) and has moved on since then. He is a London boy, his contract is up in the summer and we feel he is a player who can add something to our squad. He can play down either flank or through the middle, so he is a Reading sort of player."
The arrival of Tabb, who has been included in one senior Irish squad, could help to pave the way for Stephen Hunt's exit from the club. Everton, Tottenham an Wigan have all been linked with the Irishman who has a clause allowing him to leave Reading for any club prepared to pay £5 million.
There was growing speculation yesterday, meanwhile, that Shay Given will be allowed to leave Newcastle United for a fee of around €10.7 million. Manager Joe Kinnear has been told that he must sell before he can rebuild at the troubled club and is believed to have decided that Given can go to Manchester City if they improve on the two offers made to date.
Ronaldo ‘part of furniture at United’
CRISTIANO RONALDO has given his clearest sign yet that he intends to stay at Manchester United by declaring: "I feel at home here."
Fresh stories had emerged from Spain this month claiming the Portugal winger will move to Real Madrid in the summer after the Primera Liga champions failed to sign him last year.
However, Ronaldo has reiterated that he is happy to remain at United. "Everything that revolves around Cristiano Ronaldo is a bit of speculation," he told Portuguese channel RTP.
"Everything that I do generates a certain interest from the press and public.
"The only thing that is true is that I am happy at Manchester United. This is my home. Because I am winning things, because of friends, because of fans, I have always felt very loved.
"I feel at home here, it is a very lovely stage in my career, as much because of the coach, who has always supported me, as because of the players.
"I feel part of the furniture at United. I don't know what is going to happen tomorrow, but I feel very happy here."
Pennant joins Portsmouth
JERMAINE PENNANT has agreed to join Portsmouth on loan from Liverpool until the end of the season. Pennant was expected to move to Pompey last week, after the clubs agreed terms for a player signed by Liverpool for €7 million from Birmingham in July 2006.
The 26-year-old was subsequently reported to prefer to stay at Anfield, but Portsmouth yesterday revealed on their official website www.portsmouthfc.co.uk that they have got their man after all.
Kinnear, Brown face FA charge
NEWCASTLE MANAGER Joe Kinnear and Hull counterpart Phil Brown have been charged with improper conduct by the English FA following their touchline confrontation during last week's FA Cup third-round replay at St James' Park.
The pair squared up to each other following Newcastle defender Fabricio Coloccini's 22nd-minute tackle on Hull forward Daniel Cousin, and have been given until February 3rd to respond to the charge.
Kinnear, commenting on the incident after the game on January 14th, said: "He (Brown) came across. He was having a rant, more than anything. He didn't actually say anything to me, he was having a rant at (Kinnear's number two) Chris (Hughton) – and he wasn't saying too many pleasant things to him. It was as simple as that. I just said 'enough'. That's all I said."
The FA have also charged Middlesbrough with failing to control their players during the 3-0 defeat at West Brom on Saturday.
Arsenal still keen on Arshavin
ARSENAL LOOK to be closing in on their pursuit of Russia international Andrei Arshavin – provided they can overcome the hurdle of the “unacceptable” fee demanded by Zenit St Petersburg, according to the player’s agent.
Arsene Wenger has made the 27-year-old his number one target, but the Premier League club will not be held to ransom. It had been reported the two parties were close to an agreement, with Arsenal understood to have returned with an improved €12.9 million offer which also includes add-ons, while Zenit coach Dick Advocaat claimed a move was indeed imminent.
However, the Russians are demanding a hefty cash down-payment closer to €21.5 million. Arshavin’s representative, Dennis Lachter, also suggested any talk of a done deal was premature.
