Football: Bury to make history after signing Indian

BURY WILL be the first English professional club to field an Indian player after the striker Baichung Bhutia was granted a work permit. Bhutia, an Indian international who has scored 25 goals in 40 appearances for his country, was originally refused a work permit but that decision has been overturned on appeal. The 22-year-old has been offered a three-year contract by Bury and will join his new club as soon as he arrives in England.

The South Africa striker Phil Masinga, substituted during a recent home friendly after being a target of racial taunts, has changed his mind and decided to play in international home matches if selected. The former Leeds player said after last month's Nelson Mandela Farewell match he would only play in away matches.

The Wolves manager, Colin Lee, has signed the Le Havre central defender, Ludovic Pollet, on a long-term loan deal. Lee plans to keep the 28-year- old at Molineux for the rest of the season, but a clause allows either party to sever ties during the first three months.

Portsmouth say they will support goalkeeper Aaron Flahavan, who fainted in last night's Worthington Cup second-round tie against Blackburn. The 23-year-old stopper collapsed 10 minutes into the second half of the first- leg clash at Fratton Park, just as he was about to clear the ball upfield.

Flahavan was carried off and, after tests, is now resting at home suffering from no side-effects. The First Division club's doctor, Gordon Parkin, believes a drop in blood pressure caused the player to faint. He expects to prevent a repeat of the incident by prescribing medication which the player will take prior to matches.

Flahavan fainted in the First Division match against Swindon just over a year ago and was then investigated by a Harley Street specialist. All tests were deemed to be normal and epilepsy and serious heart disease were ruled out.

Portsmouth said in a statement: "The directors, manager and all playing staff hold Aaron in the highest esteem. All the club are looking forward to his early return to playing."