News round-up

It's been sluggish on the news front of late, but today came details of a potentially significant development: an approach has been made to buy Sir John Hall's stake in the club.

The club's statement gave no indications as to what might happen - it "may or may not lead to the disposal of the stake" - but Fat Fred has apparently ruled out the possibility of a Man Utd style takeover. Anyone fancy taking him at his word? No, thought as much.

On a tangential note, this site might well be of interest to those concerned by the way our club has been run for the past few years.

Meanwhile, Roeder has announced that signings are imminent - we'd hope so too, having lost Shearer, Chopra and Bowyer so far this summer without any incoming replacements. One name persistently linked with us is that of Steed Malbranque, who we're apparently battling it out for with West Ham. He's a player I've long admired, and at the reported £5m he'd be a decent investment.

Over in Germany, it's good news for Michael Owen as he looks likely to benefit from Peter Crouch being on a yellow card and get another start for England tomorrow, heading the attack against Sweden with the fit-again Wayne Rooney. He'll have to improve on his last couple of showings, though - his lack of fitness has shown in largely ineffective and lethargic performances.

Commiserations to Craig Moore, who battled valiantly to try and keep Brazil at bay on Sunday evening and was unlucky to be withdrawn as the Aussies chased the game, having put in a sterling shift at the back. Perhaps he and Bramble could work out after all? I'd still like to see us strengthen our back line, though...