Football: Hutchison listed by Liverpool: Liverpool midfielder fined and barred from club's German tour

LIVERPOOL yesterday reacted to Don Hutchison's unorthodox fashion spread in a Sunday newspaper by transfer-listing the 23-year-old midfielder. The Scotland B international was also fined two weeks' wages and banned from the club's pre-season tour to Germany.

A photograph of Hutchison wearing the label of a beer- bottle - not even the club sponsors - while on holiday in Cyprus angered his Anfield employers, who have been embarrassed by the Geordie before. Liverpool can still expect a substantial profit from selling the pounds 1m-rated player, who cost only pounds 175,000 from Hartlepool United in 1990.

David Batty, the Blackburn and England midfielder, is to have an operation this weekend on a broken bone in his right foot and could be out of action for up to three months. Batty had hoped the injury would have settled down during the summer, but the two ends of the bone are too far apart and will have to be screwed together.

Gheorghe Hagi's transfer to Barcelona from Brescia finally went through yesterday. The 29-year-old Romanian international broke off talks last week following a disagreement over terms.

Leeds United are set to abandon their attempt to sign Genoa's Czech striker, Tomas Skuhravy. Leeds' managing director, Bill Fotherby, yesterday extended the deadline for a deal until 5pm today but said: 'To be honest, I will be surprised if the transfer goes ahead.'

Peter Storrie, West Ham United's managing director, yesterday said the club were 'extremely disappointed' with the homesick Joey Beauchamp for voicing a desire to return to Oxford United. 'We spent pounds 1m on this player, gave him a four- year contract and after just four days' training he comes out with this,' Storrie said. 'We are considering disciplinary action.'

The chase for Alexi Lalas has moved slightly away from Coventry City after Padova and Bochum insisted they were the more likely to sign the American stopper. The Bundesliga club spent two days in talks with Lalas, while his arrival in Italy yesterday was greeted with headlines like 'Welcome Buffalo Lalas, the First Yankee to Play in Italy'. Padova claim they have already captured Lalas.

Peter Johnson, the former chairman of Tranmere, is expected to be given permission to take over Everton today during an emergency general meeting at Goodison Park.

A change of ownership is also pending at Cardiff City, where Rick Wright is discussing the club's sale to a consortium led by the boxing promoter, Frank Maloney.