Arsenal
Teenage midfielder Craig Eastmond has committed his future to Arsenal by signing a new long-term contract with the Barclays Premier League club. The 19-year-old shone in the Arsenal side that won both the FA Youth Cup and the Premier Academy League last season, earning himself a professional deal in the summer. Eastmond has gone on to break into the Gunners’ first-team this season, impressing as a holding midfielder in the Carling Cup ties against Liverpool and Manchester City. That saw the Wandsworth-born youngster, who can also play at right-back, rewarded with a Premier League debut as a substitute in the 4-1 win at Portsmouth on 30th December. And manager Arsene Wenger has been so impressed by Eastmond’s recent development that the French coach has moved to keep him at the Emirates Stadium by offering a long-term extension.
Aston Villa
Manager Martin O’Neill says he is not “actively looking” to sell full-back Nicky Shorey and believes the player can challenge Stephen Warnock for a first-team spot. Shorey joined Nottingham Forest on a three-month loan and has impressed during their rise into the top two of the Championship. But O’Neill feels he can still make an impact at Villa Park. The former England defender began the season in Villa’s starting XI but was instantly replaced by Warnock after his switch from Blackburn in August. O’Neill said: “Selling Nicky is not something that I am looking to do at this minute and nothing concrete has developed. If there was an offer, I would sit down with Nicky and his agent to discuss it but I am not actively seeking (to sell him). Nicky thought when Stephen Warnock arrived that his chances would be limited at the time. But he is capable of fighting back. I think he is enjoying it immensely at Forest and he’s playing which is what he wanted to do.”
Birmingham City
Birmingham have received international clearance for new signing Michel in time for him to be available for Saturday’s Barclays Premier League match at Portsmouth. The 24-year-old Spanish midfielder was signed earlier this week from Sporting Gijon in a
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