Football: Robins wings his way to Canaries

MARK ROBINS, the 22-year-old Manchester United striker, yesterday moved to Norwich City for pounds 800,000, and will make his debut against Arsenal at Highbury today.

Robins rushed from the club's training ground to Carrow Road to sign just seconds before the midday transfer deadline. He comes in as a direct replacement for the Scottish international, Robert Fleck, who moved to Chelsea for pounds 2.1m earlier this week.

Kevin Gallacher's proposed pounds 2.5m move to Chelsea yesterday was called off by Coventry City. City pulled out of a lunchtime meeting with Chelsea after details of the deal were published in yesterday's newspapers.

Terry Phelan, Wimbledon's Republic of Ireland full-back, yesterday asked to be allowed to go to Manchester City. Peter Reid, the City player-manager, has offered Wimbledon pounds 1.5m for the Mancunian, but the Dons want pounds 2m.

Phelan said: 'I have not been able to sleep since I heard that City wanted me. I'm a Salford lad and a move to Maine Road would be the best thing that has ever happened to me.'

The striker, Brian Deane, has ended all speculation about a pounds 3m transfer by signing a new two-year contract for Sheffield United. Deane, who cost pounds 40,000 from Doncaster Rovers four years ago, has been lifted into the front of football's wage earners with his new deal.

The Everton manager, Howard Kendall, finally got his man yesterday when he completed the pounds 500,000 signing of the Rangers striker, Paul Rideout.

Andy Payton will make his debut for Celtic today against Dundee United at Celtic Park and when he is eventually joined by fellow striker Stuart Slater and the Albanian defender, Rudi Vata, in the Celtic first team the side will have at last been stamped with the hallmark of their manager, Liam Brady.

The three represent a massive investment by the Parkhead side with Slater - at pounds 1.5m - becoming the most expensive player ever to wear the famous green and white hoops. Vata cost pounds 200,000 while Payton was acquired at the price of Chris Morris moving to Middlesbrough.

Partick Thistle also hope to sign the former Everton captain, Kevin Ratcliffe.

Arsenal yesterday promised to peg season ticket prices in the new North Bank stand for 10 years in a fresh attempt to help sell their controversial bond scheme.

Kenny Dalglish, the Blackburn manager, and Kevin Keegan, his Newcastle counterpart, have been warned about their future conduct by the Football Association after allegations about comments to match officials. Keegan was fined pounds 1,000. Southampton have been fined pounds 20,000 by the FA for a poor disciplinary record last season.