Those odds hardened after the Turks responded positively to an early battering and conceding a goal to Robbie Keane, whose suspension for the second game further handicapped Ireland’s prospects.Even with Niall Quinn fit to return in Bursa, they never looked likely to score the goal that was a minimum requirement. GREEN WAS the colour; and if the pallor of one or two Republic of Ireland players matched their shirts on a rough crossing over the Marmara Sea back to Istanbul after Wednesday’s goal-less draw in Bursa, it will soon be replaced by the green eye of envy as they contemplate a summer watching Turkey, England, Slovenia and the rest competing in the European Championship finals. The midfielders Sigursteinn Gislason and Einar Thor Danielson arrived on loan from KR Reykjavik, followed by a Swedish right-back, Michael Hansson, on a free transfer from Norrkoping.Thordarson hopes to make another Icelandic international, Rikhardur Dadason, his first cash recruit, but faces competition for Lillestrom’s pounds 350,000-rated striker from Sheffield United.Coventry City have sent their on-loan goalkeeper Raffaele Nuzzo back to Internazionale following the return to action of Steve Ogrizovic, six months after neck surgery The 42-year-old is two appearances short of the 600 mark Nuzzo hopes to secure a spell at another English club.. Villa will also have to pay a further pounds 50,000 for every 10 first-team games the teenager plays up to a maximum of 40. The fee will rise to more than pounds 350,000 if Standing is capped by England.Stoke City’s new Icelandic manager, Gudjon Thordarson, made two of his former charges in the national side his first signings yesterday.

The midfielder did not play for several weeks after an operation but has turned out for Wimbledon reserves ahead of his pending departure.
Aston Villa have been told by a Football League appeals committee to make a pounds 50,000 down-payment to Brighton for the midfielder Michael Standing. THE FULHAM manager, Paul Bracewell, is trying to rush through the pounds 2m signing of Michael Hughes from Wimbledon in the hope that the Northern Ireland international can make his debut at Blackburn tomorrow. Hughes has not found a place in the system favoured by Wimbledon’s new Norwegian manager, Egil Olsen, who would rather realise the asset and spend them money. Fulham are close to agreeing a price and Hughes will sign if he proves his fitness. Thordarson hopes to make another Icelandic international, Rikhardur Dadason, his first cash recruit, but faces competition for Lillestrom’s pounds 350,000-rated striker from Sheffield United.Coventry City have sent their on-loan goalkeeper Raffaele Nuzzo back to Internazionale following the return to action of Steve Ogrizovic, six months after neck surgery.. Villa will also have to pay a further pounds 50,000 for every 10 first-team games the teenager plays up to a maximum of 40.

The fee will rise to more than pounds 350,000 if Standing is capped by England.Stoke City’s new Icelandic manager, Gudjon Thordarson, made two of his former charges in the national side his first signings yesterday. The midfielders Sigursteinn Gislason and Einar Thor Danielson arrived on loan from KR Reykjavik, followed by a Swedish right-back, Michael Hansson, on a free transfer from Norrkoping. Kiatisak Senamaung, Thailand’s captain and greatest player, known by fans as Zico for his regular overhead kicks, has signed until the end of the season.Aston Villa have been told by a Football League appeals committee to make a pounds 50,000 down-payment to Brighton for the midfielder Michael Standing. Fulham are close to agreeing a price and Hughes will sign if he proves his fitness. The midfielder did not play for several weeks after an operation but has turned out for Wimbledon reserves ahead of his pending departure.Thailand’s answer to the Brazilian legend Zico is swapping steamy Bangkok for life in northern England after signing for First Division Huddersfield. The Juve vice- president Roberto Bettega was responding to a report that a deal had been agreed for the summer.It was also announced yesterday that Paul Scholes is to have a hernia operation next month, after the Champions’ League game against Valencia.Scholes is likely to find himself up against Craig Burley again tomorrow following their encounter in the England-Scotland play-off games.