Middlesbrough defender Justin Hoyte will be out of action for four weeks after undergoing an operation on knee cartilage, it has been announced.

The Football Association will take no action against Wayne Rooney for his badge-kissing antics at Goodison Park on Saturday.

Lyon striker Karim Benzema has signed a new contract at the club until 2013, with an option for a further one-year extension.

Roy Keane has revealed he plans to return to management in the future after quitting as Sunderland boss last week.

Tottenham 4 Dinamo Zagreb 0

Hull City's move to sign Republic of Ireland defender Steve Finnan is reportedly in doubt after the 32-year-old failed a medical.

Robbie Keane is expected to line out for Liverpool this evening as they face PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League.

Richard Dunne has been called back into the Irish international fold.

England skipper David Beckham missed training today ahead of Wednesday night’s Euro 2004 qualifier against Turkey.

Yesterday’s announcement by the Irish Sports Council that it will spend €7.4m to support major field sports’ governing bodies — the FAI, GAA, and IRFU — is very welcome but it would be even more welcome had more money been available.

Turkish Airlines could be poised to succeed RaboDirect as sponsors of the Pro12 tournament.

Manchester United have opened negotiations with “multiple parties” as they look to secure a massive new kit deal.

The goal-line technology system for the Premier League and Wembley Stadium was unveiled yesterday and hailed as one of the most important developments in the 150 years since football rules were laid down.

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has defended his club’s transfer policy after criticism following the sale of Angel di Maria to Manchester United.

Louis van Gaal says he will only bring in new players when he needs to but admits Manchester United are lacking a winger of Angel Di Maria’s class.

Please pass on my thanks to Richard Kurt for acknowledging, in his sports column today, that Crystal Palace are a Premier league club.

New Wigan boss Steve Bruce has made his first signing since officially taking over on Monday by bringing in Eric Black as his assistant manager.

Liverpool were today given the go-ahead to build their redesigned £400m (€572m) stadium in Stanley Park.

Celtic manager Gordon Strachan brought Roy Keane back as they prepared to lift the Bank of Scotland Premier League trophy following the game with Hibernian at Parkhead.