Kerr poised to take over Ireland job

The unsung Brian Kerr will be offered the Republic of Ireland manager's job in the next few days after seeing off competition from some top names.

Kerr, a long-serving staff coach with the Irish youth and Under-21 sides, has emerged as the Football Association of Ireland committee's top choice after a lengthy round of interviews. The unexpected development may also see the former captain Roy Keane return as a player and possibly even on the back-room staff.

Some of the possibles were ruled out because of the Keane issue – there were doubts about early front-runner Peter Reid, for example, because he planned to bring in Niall Quinn, who clashed with Keane last summer.

Tottenham have signed the Japanese international Kazuyuki Toda, subject to the midfielder passing a medical over the weekend. The Shimizu S-Pulse player, who played a large part in the success of the Japanese side at the World Cup, has agreed terms on a one-year loan deal, and has been granted a work permit.

The Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger said that Marcos will not be joining the club before the end of this season . The Brazilian goalkeeper flew to London for talks over personal terms this week after his club, Palmeiras, had agreed a £2.4m fee. Arsenal had been hoping he would join immediately, providing cover for David Seaman, but he has flown back to South America without a deal being agreed and with a warning from Wenger that he must resolve issues in his personal life. These are believed to include the fact that his girlfriend is four months' pregnant.

Leeds United are set to sign Celtic's contract rebel Colin Healy for a £200,000 fee. Leeds have made an approach for the Republic of Ireland international midfielder, who can quit Parkhead at the end of the season on a free.

Manchester City have confirmed the signing of the French defender David Sommeil on a three-and-a-half year deal, at a reported cost of £3.5m, from Bordeaux. City are now trying to sign a striker, with Kaiserslautern's Miroslav Klose the No 1 target.

Middlesbrough are in advanced talks with the Leeds midfielder Seth Johnson and it is understood that part of his medical has been completed.

The Football Association has confirmed it is to study a video of an incident between Neil Warnock and Stéphane Henchoz at the end of Liverpool's Worthington Cup semi-final win over Sheffield United. Warnock was furious following the match, which Liverpool won after extra time to progress on aggregate, and claimed the Swiss defender spat at him.