Batty may be moving

David Batty may be about to leave Blackburn Rovers, writes Guy Hodgson. The abrasive England midfield player will have talks with his manager, Ray Harford, today, when it is understood he will be told that the club is open to offers. The fee is likely to be around pounds 3m, and Newcastle United are expected to lead the bidding.

Robbie Earle has failed in his appeal against his disputed sending-off at Bolton this month and will miss Wimbledon's FA Cup fourth-round tie at Middlesbrough on Saturday.

Wolves last night signed Jiri Novotny, a central defender who plays internationally for the Czech Republic, from Sparta Prague on a week's trial.