FOOTBALL ROUND UP

Football

The former Reading midfielder, Simon Osborn, has completed his pounds 1m move from Queen's Park Rangers to Wolves, and will make his debut at Reading today. Wolves are also discussing terms with the Rangers midfielder, Alexei Mikhailichenko.

Everton have been told that they must release their Nigerian striker, Daniel Amokachi, for the African Nations' Cup in South Africa next month. Amokachi will leave after the Boxing Day fixture against Middlesbrough and, if Nigeria reach the final, will not be back until 4 February. Other players affected include Efan Ekoku (Wimbledon and Nigeria), Nii Lamptey (Coventry and Ghana), Tony Yeboah (Leeds and Ghana) plus Phil Masinga and Lucas Radebe (both Leeds and South Africa).

Jimmy Crease has resigned as the manager of the Scottish Third Division club, Albion Rovers. Their player-coach, Joe McBride, the former Everton forward, has been named caretaker manager.

Middlesbrough were relieved to hear yesterday that their forward, Juninho, was one of a number of top young players overlooked by Brazil for the Concacaf Gold Cup in the United States next month. Ronaldo (PSV Eindhoven) and Roberto Carlos (Internazionale) have also been left out by Brazil's coach, Mario Zagallo, who said he preferred to save the trio for future games.

BRAZIL SQUAD (Concacaf Gold Cup, United States, January): Goalkeepers: Dida (Cruzeiro), Danrlei (Gremio Porto Alegre). Defenders: Ze Maria, Ze Roberto (both Portuguesa), Andre Luis (Sao Paulo), Narciso (Santos), Alexandre Lopes (Corinthians), Carlinhos (Guarani), Gelson (Cruzeiro). Midfielders: Amaral, Flavio Conceicao (both Palmeiras), Ze Elias, Souza (both Corinthians), Beto, Iranildo (both Botafogo), Arilson (Kaiserslautern). Forwards: Caio (Internazionale), Savio (Flamengo), Leandro (Internacional), Jamelli (Santos).

The Romanian Federation has awarded the national squad a pounds 3m bonus for qualifying for next year's European Championship finals.

TRANSFERS: Nathan Blake (forward) Sheffield United to Bolton Wanderers; Mark Patterson (midfielder) Bolton Wanderers to Sheffield United; Michel Vonk (defender) Manchester City to Sheffield United; Simon Osborn (midfielder) Queen's Park Rangers to Wolverhampton Wanderers.

LOAN TRANSFERS: David Brightwell (defender) Manchester City to Bradford City.

THURSDAY LATE RESULTS: International friendly (Buenos Aires): Argentina 6 (Esnaider 2, 32, Lopez pens 18, 28, Cardoso 24, Netto 83) Venezuela 0.