Football: Deane to return to Blades

Brian Deane is to return to Sheffield United from Leeds United in a knockdown pounds 1m deal this week, writes Alan Nixon.

Deane has been approached about the sentimental journey back to Bramall Lane where he first found fame before moving to Leeds for pounds 2.7m three seasons ago. The managerless First Division club hope to tie up the deal quickly and Leeds are willing to take a reduced fee for the out of contract striker.

Deane can go abroad for nothing although he missed out on a move to the Dutch club Feyenoord by stalling on a contract worth pounds 20,000 a week. United will not match those wages but are still confident Deane will join them as he now has a limited first-team future at Leeds.

Meanwhile the Blades will decide on a new manager soon with former Everton manager Joy Royle still a candidate to replace caretaker Nigel Spackman.

Sweden international Roland Nilsson is back in English football with Coventry after signing from part-timers Helsingborgs in a pounds 200,000 deal. Nilsson, 33, formerly with Sheffield Wednesday, has signed a two-year contract. Nilsson, who joins compatriot Magnus Hedman at Highfield Road, is still a regular at international level and has won 86 caps for his country.

The Turkish First Division club Bursaspor have sacked their coach, Gordon Milne. Fans and officials were angered by pre-season defeats and a failed attempt by the former Coventry manager to take over at his former club Besiktas.