IN an unexpected U-turn, it has been confirmed that Ireland are going to have Robbie Keane all to themselves for the Andorra and Armenia games next month.

Hatem Ben Arfa is out of the remainder of Newcastle's US tour after being taken to hospital during the 0-0 draw with Sporting Kansas City.

THE president of the United States of America told the group of footballers behind him that he had dressed in their honour: a grey suit to go along with the matching grey suits worn by the Colorado Rapids.

Thierry Henry was on the scoresheet as the New York Red Bulls closed the gap on Columbus Crew at the top of the Eastern Conference of the MLS with a 2-0 win over the San Jose Earthquakes.

West Ham insist the £5m signing of Switzerland defender Valon Behrami underlines their commitment to challenging for a place among the Barclays Premier League’s elite.

David Beckham is the overwhelming leader in fan voting for the 2008 Major League Soccer All-Star Game.

Aston Villa are putting their pre-season plans on ice for the 2008-2009 campaign until they know whether or not they will be competing in the Intertoto Cup.

Columbus Crew 1 Aston Villa 3

One of America’s leading sports business experts believes David Beckham’s mega-money deal to join Major League Soccer should be viewed more as a marketing tool than a player contract.

Blackburn goalkeeper Brad Friedel has signed a one-year contract extension at Ewood Park.

Lee Carsley could be on his way to Wolves after new Molineux boss Mick McCarthy expressed an interest in the former Republic of Ireland international.

Everton have announced they will go on a two-match pre-season tour of the United States this summer.

Fulham manager Chris Coleman has reassured fans he will be spending money during the transfer window.

Bolton have eased their goalkeeping worries with the capture of Oman international Ali Al-Habsi from top Norwegian club SFK Lyn.

BIRMINGHAM have signed former England striker Chris Sutton from Celtic after making an unsuccessful attempt to sign his old Parkhead team-mate Henrik Larsson from Barcelona last week.

Fulham will extend Brian McBride’s contract in January with boss Chris Coleman labelling the USA striker a “manager’s dream“.

Lawrie Sanchez saw his selection options improve dramatically tonight when four of the five players who pulled out of the World Cup qualifier against Azerbaijan tomorrow became available for the match with Austria on Wednesday.

Lawrie Sanchez’s decision to invoke the four-day rule has prompted an angry reaction on the club circuit.

LOUIS SAHA is expected to complete his controversial move to Manchester United by the end of the week when manager Alex Ferguson returns with the squad after a break in Dubai.

Fulham today announced the signing of American international Brian McBride on a two and a half year deal.

USA striker Brian McBride is poised to joined Blackburn next week in a £600,000 (€868,000) deal after a change of heart by the club.

Here is the full club-by-club list of transfer deals completed during the calendar month of January.

Bolton 1

Bolton 1 Everton 2

Tottenham Hotspur 4 Everton 3