Football: Hutchison's escape

DON HUTCHISON will put his Liverpool nightmare behind him and start afresh with West Ham after completing a pounds 1.5m transfer. The 23-year-old midfielder ended weeks of speculation by agreeing the move to Upton Park and is expected to go straight into the team for tonight's home match against Newcastle.

Hutchison's career has been hampered by controversy, including an incident in a nightclub and indiscretions on holiday. He has been left out in the cold by the Liverpool manager, Roy Evans, this season but bears no grudges.

'I have no axe to grind with Liverpool,' he said. 'They have been very good to me. I am not so sure other clubs would have done the same thing. They were very tolerant, considering I caused my own problems.'

Hutchison will join his former Anfield team-mates, Mike Marsh and David Burrows, and will be managed by Harry Redknapp, the father of his former Liverpool colleague and good friend, Jamie.

Terry Phelan, the Manchester City defender, has pulled out of the Republic of Ireland's opening European Championship match in Latvia next Wednesday because of a hamstring injury.

But Roy Keane, the Manchester United midfielder, remains in Jack Charlton's squad, despite suffering from a thigh injury that has forced him out of tonight's home match against Wimbledon.