Bruce signs up Kingson to give Kirkland a run for his money

(Getty)

Wigan Athletic manager Steve Bruce has bolstered his goalkeeping options at the club with Ghana international Richard Kingson signing a two-year contract. Kingson, a free agent after leaving Birmingham City, will provide competition for Chris Kirkland and Mike Pollitt.

After a spell out of the game, the 30-year-old is delighted to be given another chance in the Premier League. He said: "Like any player, I just want to play. It's terrific to be back in England. Steve Bruce is a great manager and I'm looking forward to my career at Wigan. I know there are two good goalkeepers here already and all I can do is fight for my place and see where that takes me."

Kingson has played the majority of his football in Turkey, before he joined up with Bruce at Birmingham last year. He appeared in the 2006 World Cup in Germany as well as this year's African Nations Cup.

Bruce said: "He's a really decent keeper, you don't play nearly 60 times for one of the top 20 nations in the world without having something about you."

Meanwhile striker Amr Zaki is being compared to Alan Shearer after a blistering start to his career in England. Zaki has settled in quickly and scored his fourth Premier League goal in the 1-1 draw against Sunderland.

The Egyptian is winning over the supporters and chairman Dave Whelan said: "Zaki has been sensational already. He does remind me of Shearer. He is a natural striker, too, who is so hungry and determined."

Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp has confirmed he still hopes to sign Trinidad & Tobago midfielder Khaleem Hyland. The 19-year-old has not been granted a work permit yet, which could scupper the deal.

He has been a regular in his national team since making his debut in January, and he featured against England in the friendly on 1 June. However he has not made sufficient competitive international appearances to satisfy the British authorities.

Redknapp said: "We are still trying to get Hyland a work permit. He's a very good young player. We've had him over for training and seen a lot of him to know what he's all about. We'll just have to wait and see what happens."

Hull manager Phil Brown has admitted a charge of improper conduct. Brown was charged last week in relation to his touchline behaviour during Hull's 5-0 defeat by Wigan at the KC Stadium on 30 August.

Brown was the first manager to be charged by the Football Association this season. The Hull manager reportedly kicked a water bottle in frustration which struck the fourth official.