Football: City set for pounds 30m cash injection

MANCHESTER CITY, for the past few years one of football's poor relations, are on the verge of a pounds 30m cash injection - which could happen this week.

City's manager, Joe Royle, will be given up to pounds 20m to spend on new players, while a further pounds 10m will be invested in club shares. The Second Division side will unveil details after a board meeting on Thursday. The identity of the club's backer is being kept secret. However, it is understood to be an English-based corporation with foreign connections.

Aston Villa's central defender, Ugo Ehiogu, will be out of action for at least a month with a fractured eye socket. He suffered the injury when accidentally kicked by Alan Shearer during Saturday's Premiership match with Newcastle.

Blackburn's French defender Sebastien Perez has returned to his former club, Bastia, on loan until the end of the season.

The Wolves striker, Robbie Keane, has been recalled to the Republic of Ireland squad for a friendly against Paraguay on 10 February in Dublin. Alan Kelly, Ian Harte and Lee Carsley are also recalled by the Republic's manager, Mick McCarthy.