Leicester poised to sign VanHooijdonk

Leicester City are in talks with Pierre van Hooijdonk about a return to the Premiership. The controversial Dutch striker has been offered to the Foxes after his club, Benfica, ran into financial problems.

Leicester City are in talks with Pierre van Hooijdonk about a return to the Premiership. The controversial Dutch striker has been offered to the Foxes after his club, Benfica, ran into financial problems.

Van Hooijdonk only joined Benfica last summer from Vitesse Arnhem, but there is a dispute about the payment of his fee and money owed to the 30-year-old striker. Benfica would want around £3m, while his wages are around £1m-a-year.

The Leeds United goalkeeper Paul Robinson will sign a new five-year contract on Monday. The improved financial package replaces Robinson's current four-year deal, and comes as a just reward for the 21-year-old's performances in the absence of Nigel Martyn.

Zinedine Zidane was banned for five matches yesterday for head-butting an opponent. The French midfielder was sent off for the second Champions' League match in succession during Juventus's 3-1 home defeat to Hamburg on Tuesday after head-butting Jochen Kientz. Uefa, Europe's governing body, fined Juventus 25,000 Swiss francs (£9,500) for the conduct of the team and fans during the game.

The Brazilian forward Ailton was banned for three matches for kicking an opponent in Werder Bremen's 4-1 Uefa Cup victory over Genk on Tuesday.

Milan were fined 50,000 Swiss francs for failing to control their fans during the 3-3 Champions' League draw with Barcelona on 18 October.