Sporting Digest: Football

Dean Richards, the Wolves defender, is having talks with Southampton about a possible move to The Dell. Richards, a pounds 1.8m signing from Bradford City four years ago, can leave Molineux on a free transfer under the Bosman ruling.

Chelsea have accepted a pounds 1m-plus offer from Birmingham City for Bjarne Goldbaek, the Danish international midfielder.

Gary Megson, sacked as Stockport County manager last month, has had talks with Stoke City about their managerial vacancy.

Clayton Ince, the 6ft 5in Trinidad and Tobago goalkeeper, has started a week's trial with Crewe Alexandra.

Carlisle United have appointed Neil Cooper, the former Aberdeen, St Mirren, Barnsley and Grimsby defender and Aberdeen youth-team coach, as their first-team coach. He will work under the new general manager, Martin Wilkinson, who was promoted from chief scout last week when Keith Mincher resigned as first-team coach after only one week in the job.

Sunderland have completed the signing of the German international defender Thomas Helmer from Bayern Munich on a free transfer under the Bosman ruling.

Byron Glasgow, the player sacked by Reading after testing positive for cocaine and cannabis, is to undergo a drugs rehabilitation programme. The 20-year-old midfielder admitted misconduct at a Football Association disciplinary commission hearing yesterday.

Hibernian have completed the signing of the French midfielder Henry Fabrice from the Swiss club FC Basle.

The former Hearts and Rangers defender Dave McPherson has joined the Australian club Carlton. The Melbourne side are coached by another former Rangers player, the full-back Stuart Munro.

The Yugoslav national coach, Milan Zivadinovic, has been sacked after a less than a year in charge. His successor is tipped to be the former Atletico Madrid coach and Luton Town midfielder Raddy Antic.

MONDAY'S LATE RESULTS: Friendlies: Purfleet 1 West Ham Utd 6; St Mirren 2 Rangers 1.

TRANSFERS (Free unless stated): Darren Carr (defender) Gillingham to Brighton (pounds 25,000); Guy Whittingham (forward) Sheffield Wednesday to Portsmouth; Mike Salmon (goalkeeper) Charlton Athletic to Ipswich Town; Phil Warner (defender) Southampton to Brentford; Richhard Kennedy (midfielder) Crystal Palace to Brentford; Hugh McAuley (forward) Leek Town to Cheltenham Town; Shane Higgs (goalkeeper) Worcester City to Cheltenham Town; Lee Nogan (forward) Grimsby Town to Darlington; Steve Gaughan (midfielder) Darlington to Halifax Town; Matthew Pitts (defender) Sunderland to Carlisle United.