Derby County have decided against signing Arsenal midfielder Mark Randall on loan. The 19-year-old has been training with the Rams and featured in two matches during the club's pre-season tour of the south west last week. Randall was hoping to secure a temporary move to Pride Park as he looks to gain further first-team experience but manager Nigel Clough will not be following up his initial interest. "We have decided not to pursue anything with Mark. We have spoken to (head of youth development) Liam Brady at Arsenal and to Mark and although he did quite well for us while we were away, we think we need a different sort of midfielder," said Clough. "We need somebody who is going to come in and really challenge the three central midfielders we already have in there. We have three very good players - Robbie Savage, Stephen Pearson and Paul Green - and arguably they have impressed as much as anybody in the last three or four weeks."

 Manager Martin O'Neill has admitted the "heart" of his side needs replacing ahead of the new Barclays Premier League season. O'Neill is looking to bring in five new signings this summer to help the club build on last season's impressive campaign when they flirted with a top-four finish. Having lost the services of former captains Gareth Barry and Martin Laursen, O'Neill has seen defender Zat Knight and goalkeeper Stuart Taylor move on, with Stewart Downing the only new arrival to date. O'Neill said: "I think we would be looking at it in the region of five players to help give us a chance. Personally, I think we can do it. The answer to the question 'Are we extremely thin now?' is, 'Yes we are!' So, yes, on the face of it, it looks pretty small. I would prefer to start the season with some of these extra players on board. I think that would be pretty important. The heart of the squad needs replacing. Yes, absolutely - and it will take money. No-one says there is X-amount to spend but you are constantly asking what can you afford."

 Alex McLeish has revealed that he is still hoping to land "one or two" more players. The Blues manager has been busy in the summer transfer window, adding eight new recruits to his ranks. "Don't get me wrong, I think the board have done really well in allowing us to get the players who have come in and spending money," the Scot said. "Of course, I am like any other manager in that I will take more players if I can get them. I still think that we're a little bit weak in one or two positions and a bit vulnerable in one or two positions for the Premier League. But, at the same time, I know that we can't have too many bodies and some players won't be too happy playing a bit part or being rotated. I understand that side also."

 Midfielder Keith Treacy has joined Sheffield United on loan until January. The 20-year-old left-winger made just nine starts in his 20 appearances last season. Manager Sam Allardyce is keen for the player to gain more experience and has allowed him to join the Championship club for a short spell.  

  Gary Megson concedes Bolton Wanderers do not have the resources to make a new bid to sign Sporting Lisbon midfielder Miguel Veloso. The Trotters tried to bring in the Portugal international in January and have been linked with another attempt to land the £15m-rated player. However, Megson admits Sporting's valuation of Veloso means a deal is out of Bolton's reach. "We were trying to get Veloso done in January, but we're not capable of doing the kind of deal they are talking about," the Trotters manager said. "We're just not in that league."  

 Manager Owen Coyle's plans to negotiate a deal for winger Fernando Guerrero have been delayed. The president of the 19-year-old's club Independiente del Valle is currently on holiday and so talks cannot begin until he returns. Guerrero, a former Real Madrid reserve, impressed on the club's recent tour to America but he has since returned to Ecuador and is likely to remain there until an agreement can be reached between the two clubs. "We've had a chat, but as it is, the president is out of the country," Coyle said. "But when he gets back to us we'll know what the situation is in terms of what finance is involved in the deal, and we'll take it from there. He's an entertaining player and a young lad with a chance. There's been a bit of dialogue but we need to continue that. But that's all it is at this moment in time." 

 Werder Bremen have not given up hope of signing Claudio Pizarro from Chelsea, despite the player recently stating he wants to fight for his place with the Blues. The Peru striker spent last season on loan with Bremen and scored 28 goals for them, including five in the UEFA Cup and four on the way to victory in the DFB-Pokal. Bremen have been trying to tempt the 30-year-old back to them on a permanent deal, but he appears to be keen on trying to make the breakthrough in England under the Blues' new coach Carlo Ancelotti. However, Bremen general manager Klaus Allofs is still confident he will be able to convince Pizarro he would be better off back in the Bundesliga. "We are going to open up talks once again in the next few days," he revealed on the northern Germany club's website. He added that Pizarro's agent, Carlos Delgado, is expected to arrive in Europe in the next few days to discuss terms for his client.

 Captain Phil Neville hailed Tim Howard as one of the most consistent goalkeepers in the Barclays Premier League after the American's man-of-the-match performance sent Major League Soccer's All-Stars to their first defeat against overseas opposition. United States international Howard, whose shoot-out saves against Manchester United helped Everton win their FA Cup semi-final last season, turned penalty hero again as the English side ended the MLS All-Stars' five-match winning streak in their mid-season showpiece at the Rio Tinto Stadium in Salt Lake City. Howard, who kept Everton in the match during normal time, made three shoot-out saves to deny the All-Stars a sixth successive victory over overseas sides, his final save of the night denying former Arsenal star and home captain Freddie Ljungberg in sudden death. "He won us the semi-final last year by saving penalties and he's done it again," Neville said of Howard. "Consistently he's been one of the best keepers in the Premiership over the last two or three seasons. We're just so lucky to have him in our nets and he's a good guy too."  

 Christian Poulsen's agent has revealed Fulham have failed in an effort to sign his client on loan from Juventus. Poulsen, who is keen to leave Juve after slipping down the pecking order in Turin, is only interested in securing a permanent switch and has made it clear that he will not entertain the idea of signing a short-team agreement. "England would be a good option for my client, but obviously it depends on the club and the type of offer," Joern Bonnesen said. "I can confirm that Fulham have made an offer, but they wanted the player on loan, while we will only agree to a permanent deal, which is why we have not accepted."

 Phil Brown says it will take a 'ridiculous' bid to prise Michael Turner away from the club. With Brown and Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp both in the Chinese capital this week, reports over a possible move to White Hart Lane for Turner have gathered momentum. But Brown said: "We did a tremendous piece of business last year signing Michael on a four-year contract," he said. "As far as I am concerned Michael is at the club as a Hull City player, it would be difficult to hang on to him if a ridiculous bid came in but as we stand no bids are on the table."   

 Defender Andrea Dossena's proposed move to Napoli has been delayed due to the player's wage demands. The Reds have accepted a £4m offer for the Italy international, who failed to make an impact in his debut campaign in England. Napoli sporting director Pierpaolo Marino says there will be further talks with the full-back, but his £2m-a-year salary at Anfield is a problem. Marino said: "Dossena? We have taken a break in order to reflect on this. The move is therefore on hold. There are no immediate prospects. The president (Aurelio De Laurentiis) has spoken to (Rafa) Benitez, but there is some distance with the player."

 Manchester City have handed a professional contract to Scottish starlet James Wood. The young goalkeeper has impressed in his first two-years as a scholar and has done enough to earn a full pro deal at Eastlands. Wood, son of former Scottish international goalkeeper George, is delighted to have pledged his future to City. "Manchester City is a massive club, and I am honoured that they have shown faith in me at this stage of my career," said Wood. "My aim now is to work hard, learn as much as I can from players like Shay Given and hopefully break into first team in the years to come"

 Manchester United have completed the signing of French starlet Paul Pogba, much to Le Havre's dismay. The Red Devils have beaten Barclays Premier League rivals Arsenal to the 16-year-old's signature, but Le Havre are disappointed to lose one of their top talents to a European superpower.

 Diego Maradona has dismissed speculation he is about to leave his job as Argentina coach in favour of a role with Portsmouth. His denial comes after Arabian Business magazine this week quoted a lawyer, Angel Oscar Moyano, as saying the Argentina legend would give up his present job to act as a "global ambassador" for Pompey, who have just been taken over by Abu Dhabi billionaire Sulaiman Al-Fahim. But Maradona has denied the claim, saying he is committed to the national side for at least the next two years. He said: "In no way would I abandon ship. Light blue and white blood runs through my veins. I'll say more. I've signed the contract and agreed to coach (the team) at the Copa America in 2011."

 Manager Tony Pulis has rejected speculation that he is looking to sign Fulham midfielder Danny Murphy. Reports had claimed that Pulis was willing to offer Murphy a player/coach role at the Britannia Stadium in a bid to lure the 32-year-old to the Potters. However, the Stoke chief has dismissed the rumours and says he is not planning to make an offer for the former Liverpool midfielder. "There is nothing in it," Pulis said. "Like a lot of stories involving us at the moment, there is nothing in it."  

 Trinidad & Tobago international Kenwyne Jones has no plans to leave the Stadium of Light despite the likely arrival of new strikers at the club. "Whoever is coming in will come in but I am not going anywhere. The more talent we have is good news for the team," he said. "I'll have a new strike partner but it isn't up to me who that person is. I signed a four-year deal in January and I'm committed to staying for that length of time, maybe more."  

 Harry Redknapp says there has been no approach from Hull for full-back Alan Hutton. The Tigers are in the market for new signings, with manager Phil Brown having endured a frustrating summer in his efforts to strengthen his squad. Redknapp said: "I never had an approach from Hull City for Alan Hutton. I don't know anything about that."  

 Harry Redknapp has denied he wants to sign West Ham defender Matthew Upson. Redknapp has major worries at the heart of his defence as Ledley King, Jonathan Woodgate and Michael Dawson are sidelined, leaving no recognised centre-back at his disposal. But he said: "I've never mentioned Matthew Upson - listen, don't believe all the rubbish you read in the Sunday newspapers, where they get these stories from God only knows. I've never, ever mentioned Matthew Upson - he's a terrific player - never mentioned the boy's name, he belongs to West Ham and please God for West Ham he stays there."

 Manager Roberto Martinez has reiterated his desire to keep hold of midfielder Lee Cattermole. The England Under-21 international impressed for Wigan Athletic last season following his move from Middlesbrough and has been the subject of a failed bid from Sunderland. He has also been linked with other Barclays Premier League clubs, and Martinez said: "I am not surprised at all (by the interest). You look at Lee last year and then the Under 21s (European Championship) - my only concern was that he could not have a long enough break going into new season. But you look at him as a player - technically, physically - he is a leader and we need him in our squad."

 Mick McCarthy will not rush into a decision over signing former Celtic defender Bobo Balde. The experienced centre-half has been training with Wolves in pre-season after leaving Celtic. "A decision may be a while because Bobo isn't fit enough yet - he hasn't played for a long time," McCarthy told the club's official website. "It may be a while before a decision, but he wants that too because he wants to show us what he can do when he's fully fit."