Vickers setback for Palace

Crystal Palace have been told by Middlesbrough that they must agree a deal to sign Steve Vickers permanently if they want to keep the defender at Selhurst Park.

Boro have refused to allow Palace to extend Vickers' loan deal, which expired last week, and he has now returned north after failing to agree terms with the Palace manager, Steve Bruce, over a permanent deal.

"It's very frustrating but I can understand why Middlesbrough didn't want to extend the loan," Bruce said. "Steve is a free agent in the summer and the longer he is out on loan the closer he gets to being able to leave for nothing. But the deal is not dead yet and I'm working hard to get him here."

West Bromwich Albion have signed the Southampton striker Uwe Rosler on loan as cover for Scott Dobie, who sustained a bad groin injury last week. The 32-year-old German has made just five appearances for the Saints this season and could well make his Albion debut at Palace tonight.

The Millwall midfielder Tim Cahill has ended speculation about a move to the Premiership by signing a new contract. The 21-year-old Australian had been linked with a move after scoring seven goals this season, but is now set to stay at the New Den until 2005.

Blackburn's Craig Hignett is still fuming after becoming the first player to be booked following a rethink by referees over a controversial interpretation of the rules regarding free-kicks. Hignett was booked by the referee Rob Styles during Monday night's goalless Premiership draw with Leicester at Ewood Park for trying to take a free-kick too quickly.

"I didn't say a word to the referee and he stood in my way and told me to wait for the whistle," an indignant Hignett said yesterday. "When I took it and he got his card out I thought it was for one of the wall. It's the most unbelievable booking I've had in my life."

Earlier this season referees had been allowing players to take quick free-kicks. But that ruling has now been officially reversed following a seminar last week. Quick free-kicks are being stopped and players trying to take them will now risk being cautioned.

The Derby County manager, Colin Todd, is in talks with the Bulgarian international defender Predrag Pazhin about becoming his fifth new signing. The 28-year-old Spartak Pleven player, who will cost Derby around £700,000, discussed personal terms with Todd yesterday and both parties hope to conclude a deal quickly.

Barnsley are set to approach an old Oakwell favourite, Nicky Law, about their vacant manager's job. Law, who has enjoyed success in difficult circumstances at Chesterfield, could be tempted by the step up to the First Division with the club where he played 20 years ago.