Port Vale's new owners try to tempt Earle home

Port Vale's new owners, the Valiant 2001 supporters' consortium, have approached one of the club's most famous old boys, the ITV pundit Robbie Earle, about becoming involved with the club again, possibly in a coaching capacity. The club's administrators yesterday confirmed that the supporters' bid was their preferred option.

Earle, a leading light of the Port Vale side that almost reached the First Division in the 1980s, is currently doing coaching work with Wimbledon but is from the Potteries and retains an affection for the club. He is set to meet the new owners shortly to discuss possible roles. Earle would also want to consult the current Vale manager, Brian Horton, about his planned arrival.

Horton's own position will be reviewed soon too, with Martin Foyle – a former Vale team-mate of Earle – tipped to succeed him if there is a change. The Valiant 2001 consortium put together a package worth around £1.2m and fended off several rival bidders.

A former Port Vale player, the Reading forward Tony Rougier, has gone on loan to Brighton and Hove Albion for a month.

Rougier joined Reading from Vale for £325,000 in August 2000, but the signing of Steve Sidwell from Arsenal and the arrival of Luke Chadwick on loan from Manchester United has reduced his chances of a first-team place with the Berkshire club.

Adrian Williams has signed a new contract with Reading. The deal will keep the defender – who scored in Tuesday's 3-1 win at Sheffield United – at the club until the summer of 2005.

Williams has made 12 international appearances for Wales and has been included in the rejuvenated Welsh squad this season under Mark Hughes.