FOOTBALL IN BRIEF

Saints on the verge of collapse
THE future of Southampton FC is in serious doubt this morning after the Pinnacle Group, fronted by club legend Matt Le Tissier, pulled out of a deal to take over the cash-strapped club.

Le Tissier told how the on-going row with the Football League over the League One club’s 10-point deduction for going into administration was the reason behind the deal collapsing.

Administrator Mark Fry is now looking to enter discussions with another consortium, believed to be a wealthy Swiss group, in order to save the club.

Di Matteo lands Baggies post
EX-CHELSEA star Roberto Di Matteo was last night named the new manager of West Brom.

The Italian, who led MK Dons to the League One play-offs in his first season in charge, signed a 12-month rolling contract with the Baggies after a six-figure compensation fee was agreed with the Dons. Assistant Eddie Newton is also set to follow.

Tigers step up Owen chase
HULL CITY chairman Phil Duffen says he remains hopeful of luring Michael Owen to the KC Stadium when the Newcastle striker’s contract runs out today.

Several clubs are chasing Owen but Duffen is hoping for a chance to speak to him once he becomes a free agent.

“Whether we get to speak to Michael tomorrow or not I don’t know, there are a lot of people that want to speak to him,” he said.

Wolves splash £6.5m on Doyle
WOLVES yesterday smashed their transfer record to land striker Kevin Doyle from Reading in a £6.5m deal.

Burnley also broke their transfer record to land Hibernian striker Steven Fletcher in a £3m deal.

Kaka finally unveiled by Real
KAKA was last night produced as a Real Madrid player after passing a second medical at the Bernabeu following his record £56m switch from AC Milan.