Northern Ireland international Andrew Little has signed a new one-year contract with Rangers.

Rangers manager Ally McCoist is closing in on the signing of Neil Danns but insists the Clydesdale Bank Premier League champions will not pay over the odds for Aston Villa defender Carlos Cuellar.

Rangers boss Ally McCoist hopes to sign Israel striker Tomer Hemed by the end of the week.

QPR’s seemingly unstoppable march towards promotion from the npower Championship continued as they posted a workmanlike 1-0 win over Doncaster at the Keepmoat Stadium.

NEWCASTLE celebrated their promotion back to the Barclays Premier League with a 2-1 win at home to Sheffield United last night.

JOHN CAREW won and converted two late penalties to keep Aston Villa on course for a second Wembley final as they disposed of Crystal Palace in an FA Cup fifth round replay at Villa Park.

Aston Villa 3 Crystal Palace 1

Crystal Palace 2 Aston Villa 2

Simon Cox’s second-half volley was enough to keep West Brom in the Coca-Cola Championship automatic promotion places with a 1-0 win at Plymouth.

THERE was no romance in the FA Cup third round tie between Championship sides Ipswich and Blackpool as the latter were reduced to nine men and had manager Ian Holloway dismissed to the stands as they were beaten 2-1 on home turf.

Roy Keane angrily accused Crystal Palace players of helping to get striker Jon Stead sent off during the first half of Ipswich’s 3-1 defeat at Selhurst Park.

Crystal Palace 0 Sheffield United 0

Crystal Palace 0 Sheffield United 0

Charlton 2 Crystal Palace 0

Birmingham co-owner David Gold has promised to back manager Alex McLeish with his own money in the January transfer window if necessary.

Birmingham boss Steve Bruce will be forced to make one change from the side which earned a goalless draw at Liverpool for the visit of Manchester United.

Birmingham boss Steve Bruce is eyeing Manchester City striker Darius Vassell as an early potential target for the January transfer window.

Blues manager Steve Bruce may decide to freshen up his side for the Carling Cup clash with Hereford after seeing his international players involved in five matches in 13 days.

Sebastian Larsson earned 10-man Birmingham an FA Cup third round replay with a late equaliser against Glenn Roeder’s injury-ravaged Newcastle at St Andrews.

Birmingham 2 Luton 2

Birmingham 2 Colchester 1

LIVERPOOL target Jermaine Pennant expects to start the season as a Birmingham player despite interest from the Anfield club.

Bruno N’Gotty is determined to help Birmingham regain their top-flight status after signing a one-year deal at St Andrews.

Birmingham are poised to sign defender Bruno N’Gotty on a free transfer.

Birmingham midfielder Muzzy Izzet has been forced to retire due to a long-term knee injury.

Colchester midfielder Neil Danns has completed his £850,000 (€1.2m) switch to Coca-Cola Championship rivals Birmingham, subject to a medical.

Irish striker Kevin Doyle has completed a remarkable year by being named in the 2006 Professional Footballers’ Association Football League Championship Team of the Year.

David Johnson, the striker who cost Nottingham Forest £3m four years ago, ensured Gary Megson’s side began their Coca-Cola League One campaign in winning style today.

Torquay surprisingly dropped into Coca-Cola League Two today as MK Dons avoided a second-successive relegation thanks to a 2-1 win over Tranmere at the National Hockey Stadium.

Southampton 3 Colchester United 2

Blackburn boss Graeme Souness has responded to an injury crisis by calling three reserve midfielders into the squad for tomorrow’s derby at home to Bolton.