Keane denies Spurs talks as transfer cut-off looms

Robbie Keane has denied he is involved in transfer talks with Tottenham and was included in Terry Venables' squad for last night's game against Sunderland at Elland Road. Leeds officials spoke to the Republic of Ireland international on Wednesday and pointed out that no fee had been agreed with Tottenham, while Keane assured them he had not spoken to the London club. Keane aims to leave before the transfer window closes on Saturday night because he wants regular first-team football.

The Middlesbrough manager Steve McClaren is running the rule over the Italian defender Emanuele Brioschi as the transfer deadline approaches. The 27-year-old Bologna player, who has been on Teesside for a brief trial, began his career at Bari but became a fixture in the Venezia side before moving to Bologna.

McClaren has worked hard to remodel his squad since his arrival at the Riverside Stadium last summer and set a new club record when he paid Empoli £8.15m for the Italian international striker Massimo Maccarone. He has recruited Juninho, currently starting his recovery from surgery on his damaged knee in America, George Boateng and Franck Queudrue, with the Cameroon international midfielder Geremi also having joined on loan from Real Madrid.

Boro had been linked with a £5m swoop for the England Under-21 international Malcolm Christie and Chicago Fire's 20-year-old midfielder DaMarcus Beasley, but McClaren has insisted that neither was on the cards. However, the Teessiders have been having a look at the former Rangers defender Tony Vidmar and the Swedish winger Jesper Blomqvist, and one or both could yet be handed contracts.

Birmingham City's summer-signing Jovan Kirovski is facing a further spell on the side-lines. The United States international was unfit for the start of the Premiership campaign due to a thigh muscle injury. He attempted a comeback in a practice match with Blackburn this week but was forced off and now manager Steve Bruce said he cannot put a time scale on when he will be fit.

Ipswich Town's French winger Ulrich Le Pen is joining Strasbourg on loan until the end of the season. Le Pen, 28, joined Ipswich from Lorient last season but failed to make an impression after being plagued by injuries. Strasbourg will have an option to complete a full transfer for £750,000 at the end of the season.