Other soccer news in brief

Hughton hopes to go full-time

CHRIS Hughton hopes to take over as permanent Newcastle manager within days before redoubling his efforts to drag the club back into the Premier League.

The former Tottenham and Republic of Ireland full back confirmed yesterday that talks over the vacant post – he has been acting as caretaker since July 1st – are ongoing and could reach a conclusion after Saturday’s Championship clash with Doncaster.

Hughton revealed earlier this week that he had been offered the job, the clearest indication yet that owner Mike Ashley is ready to shelve plans to sell the club.

The news emerged after Saturday’s 1-0 defeat at Nottingham Forest, which saw Newcastle slip to second place in the table, a position which was confirmed by a second loss at Scunthorpe in midweek.

However, Hughton yesterday insisted that double setback would have no influence on the ongoing talks. He said: “The objective at the start of the season was to get this club promotion, and that hasn’t changed. Talks are ongoing, but from both parties’ points of view, they want me to be the manager and I want to be the manager here.”

Chelsea appeal to CAS against transfer ban

CHELSEA have appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) against the ban on signing new players imposed on them by Fifa, CAS said yesterday.

Chelsea have also asked for the transfer ban to be suspended until the result of the appeal is decided.

They were found guilty in September of inducing Gael Kakuta to break his contract with French club Racing Lens and banned from registering any new players until January 2011.

“Both Chelsea FC and (Gael) Kakuta have requested that the Fifa decision be stayed pending the outcome of the CAS arbitration,” a CAS statement read. “A decision concerning the request for a stay is likely to be issued by the CAS at the beginning of November.”

The punishment was handed out following a contractual dispute involving the transfer of reserve team player Kakuta from Lens in 2007. The London club were furious at the decision, describing it as “totally disproportionate”.

If CAS upholds the appeal, Chelsea could sign players in the January transfer window.

Huth banned for three games

STOKE City defender Robert Huth was banned for three games yesterday after TV pictures showed him punching West Ham United’s Matthew Upson in a Premier League game last Saturday.

Huth punched Upson in the side of the head from behind as the players waited for a free kick to be taken, leaving the West Ham player requiring medical treatment.

The incident was not seen by the match officials but the English FA intervened after it was shown on television.

Germany international Huth pleaded guilty to a charge of violent conduct at yesterday’s FA Regulatory Commission hearing, the FA said on its website.

Robinho suffers injury setback

BRAZIL striker Robinho will be out of action for a further two weeks after a setback in his recovery from a stress fracture, Manchester City manager Mark Hughes said yesterday.

Robinho has not played since August because of the ankle injury.

“Robi is 10 to 14 days away because his stress fracture has not healed as anticipated,” Hughes said. “We want to err on the side of caution with him but he is okay.”

Middlesbrough to appoint Strachan

MIDDLESBROUGH chairman Steve Gibson was yesterday finalising his move to appoint Gordon Strachan as the club’s new manager. The 52-year-old Scot is expected to be confirmed as Gareth Southgate’s replacement at a press conference today.

Middlesbrough confirmed yesterday that coach Colin Cooper, assisted by Steve Agnew and Stephen Pears, will be in charge of the team for Saturday’s English Championship trip to Preston, although Strachan could watch the team for the first time from the stands at Deepdale.

Gibson is keen to bring a swift conclusion his search after admitting he had put a strategy in place to find a new manager several weeks ago.

Detailed talks took place on Wednesday following a series of earlier enquiries and it is understood agreement in principle has already been reached.

Strachan has been out of the game since leaving Celtic at the end of last season.