Bellamy finedNewcastle manager Graeme Souness was able to put the Craig Bellamy saga to one side yesterday to complete the capture of Portsmouth midfielder Amdy Faye.
The Senegalese international finally signed a four-year deal, clinching a switch understood to amount to around £2 million.
Bellamy, meanwhile, was yesterday fined the maximum two weeks' wages - around £80,000 - although perhaps significantly, not placed on the transfer list, by chairman Freddy Shepherd, following the player's bust-up with Souness.
Meanwhile, Celtic and Birmingham having been given permission to talk to French full-back Olivier Bernard. It is understood that the former Lyon player is available for around £400,000 after turning down an improved contract at St James' Park.
Pennant loan on hold
Birmingham City said yesterday that Jermaine Pennant's loan deal from Arsenal had been put "on hold" and that the 22-year-old has not joined them until the end of the season.
The midfielder was charged with drink driving on Monday and faces a possible prison sentence because he was already serving a 16-month ban imposed for another drink-driving offence last February. Although both clubs said on Monday that Pennant was joining the Blues, a statement from Birmingham yesterday said that the deal had not been concluded.
Toure is charged
Arsenal defender Kolo Toure has been charged by the Football Association for an alleged elbow into Alan Shearer's back during Newcastle's weekend match at Highbury.
If the Ivory Coast international is found guilty of the violent conduct charge, he faces the prospect of an immediate three-match ban.
Marsh sacked by Sky
Rodney Marsh yesterday had his contract terminated by Sky Sports after making offensive comments on air about the Asia tsunami disaster.
The former Queens Park Rangers and Manchester City striker appeared as a pundit on Monday's You're on Sky Sports programme and is believed to have made a joke involving a play on words in reference to the disaster and Newcastle's fans, known as the Toon Army. Marsh yesterday apologised for his remarks saying his only intention was "to make a light-hearted football joke".
Benitez's Alonso fear
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez does not think Xabi Alonso will play again this season. The Spanish midfielder broke his ankle in a match against Chelsea on New Year's Day and was expected to be out for three months.
But Anfield boss Benitez has accepted he will probably be without the player until the 2005/06 season.
"In my mind I think that Xabi will not play again this season," he said. "After three months, you don't know, some players can come straight back but some take a lot of time. If Xabi comes back it will be a bonus."
Ferguson told to go
Rangers were last night preparing an improved bid worth around £4.5 million for Barry Ferguson after Blackburn Rovers reluctantly accepted their captain's written transfer request. The Scottish club have already had an offer of £3 million rejected for the 26-year-old though they hope the increased bid will persuade Rovers to sell. Ferguson cost Blackburn £7.5 million when he moved from Ibrox 18 months ago.
Lennon happy to wait
Celtic midfielder Neil Lennon is to discuss a new deal once more immediate issues are settled at the club. Parkhead boss Martin O'Neill is waiting for Jackie McNamara to sign a new contract and is waiting to hear from Bobo Balde over his future. "We had a brief discussion last week between the club and my agent," Lennon told the Evening Times. "These things take time and there are numerous other things on the manager's mind."
Middlesbrough, however, yesterday insisted they will not attempt to sign Balde during the January transfer window but will wait until his contract expires in the summer.
In brief . . .
Everton goalkeeper Nigel Martyn has signed a one-year extension to his contract at Goodison Park . . . Portsmouth's Lomana LuaLua has been given an additional ban and fine after being found guilty of improper conduct following his red card against Blackburn . . . Tottenham are reported to be close to signing Excelsior Rotterdam's Moroccan striker Mounir El Hamdaoui . . . Former Italy and AC Milan midfielder Demetrio Albertini has joined Barcelona for the rest of the season . . . Inter Milan's Brazilian striker Adriano has responded to speculation that Real Madrid want him to be their next Galactico by saying he would like to play for the Primera Liga side . . . Ben Thatcher's move from Manchester City to Fulham collapsed yesterday after negotiations between the clubs broke down . . . Edwin van der Sar last night agreed a new one-year extension to his contract at Fulham . . . Former Leeds chairman Peter Ridsdale is in talks with an unnamed Championship club . . . Real Madrid's Jonathan Woodgate is hoping to return to action within five weeks, according to his agent . . . Manchester United's Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is hoping to start running again next month if he gets the green light from the surgeon who operated on the knee injury which has blighted the last two years of his career.
