Football in brief: Moyes bolsters squad by signing Donovan on loan from LA Galaxy

Everton: Everton have confirmed the signing of United States striker Landon Donovan on a short-term loan deal.

Donovan will join the Merseyside club in next month's transfer window having been granted permission by Los Angeles Galaxy. The 27-year-old will increase the options of manager David Moyes during a season which has seen Everton badly hampered by injuries. Moyes said: "Landon Donovan will join Everton. It is all agreed and done now and hopefully he will be with us on January 1 or 2. Hopefully he is the first of two or three we want to bring in in January. We need to strengthen our squad to make sure we are not in a situation like we have at the moment with so many injuries. I need players who can hit the ground running, and with his experience and the goals he has scored, I am hoping he will be able to do that." Donovan, like Galaxy team-mate David Beckham, has been allowed to join a European club on a short-term deal before the Major League Soccer season starts in March.

McCarthy returns fire at team-selection critics

Wolves: The manager Mick McCarthy has hit back at his critics after the firestorm following his controversial team selection against Manchester United on Tuesday when he changed all 10 outfield players who had beaten Tottenham. He said: "I have got more integrity and honesty in that little finger than most of those who are accusing me. Whoever it is, I am not bothered. It is laughable." McCarthy joked: "I had a lovely letter from Tiger Woods thanking me for taking the pressure off him. He is now driving round Florida in an open top car singing 'super Mick McCarthy'."

Ashcroft saves Hornets from administration

Watford: The club appears to have escaped the imminent threat of being forced into administration after their major shareholder, Lord Ashcroft, agreed to pay back £4.88m on Watford's behalf last night. Ashcroft is reported to have agreed to pay back the loan to Jimmy Russo which the former chairman was insisting upon following his resignation from the board earlier this week. Russo and brother Vince, the club's former vice-chairman, had rejected a £7.5m rights issue package from Ashcroft on Wednesday. Russo told BBC Radio Five Live yesterday that he was eager to avoid administration.

McLeish looks for new blood to maintain form

Birmingham City: Manager Alex McLeish has vowed to bring in quality players next month to ensure City maintain their recent form. His side will be looking to equal a 50-year-old club record in the top flight by winning a sixth-straight game, against Everton at Goodison Park tomorrow. "January is the key for me, to bring in two or three players," he said. "We'll need them for a rainy day, but we will continue to be prudent in the choice of players and the spending."