Keegan profits as Fox joins Spurs for pounds 4m

Football

Football

CLIVE WHITE

Kevin Keegan last night "reluctantly" accepted a pounds 4m offer from Tottenham Hotspur for Ruel Fox, the midfielder he signed for almost half that sum from Norwich two seasons ago. Newcastle had been holding out for an extra pounds 500,000.

Gerry Francis, the Spurs manager, has been scouring Europe in recent weeks searching for players to strengthen the side and was understood to be on the verge of making a bid for Enzo Scifo, the Belgian international.

Instead he has found a midfielder of a very different kind far closer to home. Fox, a wide player whom many felt during his Norwich days ought to have received England recognition, has seen his career stagnate at Newcastle where his future has been further compromised by the signing of the Frenchman David Ginola this summer.

"I'm delighted because we have had our eye on him for some time and it was only the money difference holding us up," Francis said. "I know Kevin still really didn't want to let him go but his loss is our gain. I'm confident everything will be settled on Monday after we have talked to the player about personal terms over the weekend.

"He is a player who always used to worry me when he had the ball for the opposition. He's very fast and dangerous and, as well as being able to operate down both wings, can also play down the middle."

Terry Venables will announce his latest England squad a day early next week because of a court appearance. Venables is being sued by Tony Berry, the Tottenham deputy chairman, who claims he was libelled in Venables' autobiography published last year.

Venables was to announce the squad for the match with Norway on Tuesday, which gives him an extra day to check the availability of players after the weekend programme.

However, with the case opening on Monday afternoon there is a danger he could be in court on Tuesday and so the announcement has been brought forward.

Robert Fleck has rejoined Norwich City from Chelsea for pounds 650,000, though that figure may rise by pounds 150,000 depending on appearances. The 30-year- old, who cost Chelsea pounds 2.1m when he left East Anglia three years ago, has spent the last month on loan. Gareth Taylor's pounds 1.8m transfer from Bristol Rovers to Crystal Palace also went through yesterday.

Daniel Amokachi, the Everton forward, has made a speedy recovery from a frightening head injury sustained against Reykjavic in Thursday's Cup- Winners' Cup tie, but will have to wait at least a fortnight before he gets the all-clear to return.

ITV chiefs have ditched the Champions' League losers, Blackburn, in favour of Paul Gascoigne's Rangers. Gazza returns to the Stadio delle Alpi in Turin, scene of his crying game in the 1990 World Cup semi-final, on 18 October, when Rangers meet Juventus. Blackburn's visit to Legia Warsaw will be highlights only.