West Bromwich Albion
Chris Brunt, the West Brom captain, yesterday became the latest player to commit his future to the Baggies. Brunt has agreed terms on a three-year contract extension, plus a further season's option in the club's favour, potentially taking him up to the end of the 2014/15 campaign. Roy Hodgson, the coach, said: "I'm pleased Chris has been rewarded with this extension on improved terms. It is fully deserved." Just last week last season's players' and fans' player of the year and fellow midfielder Youssouf Mulumbu also pledged his future to Albion to the end of 2015. Brunt, 26, has made 157 appearances and scored 31 goals since joining Albion in 2007. "He's been a great club servant and I'm delighted he's committed himself for a longer period," Hodgson said.
Aston Villa
Alex McLeish, the Aston Villa manager, has revealed Charles N'Zogbia is being given a "crash course" in training in a bid to get him fit for the start of the new season. The £9.5 million (Dh57m) signing has enjoyed little in the way of a close season due to playing for France early in the summer. McLeish is hoping to give N'Zogbia his debut in tomorrow's final pre-season friendly against Braga in Portugal. McLeish told the Birmingham Mail. "He is only doing running at the moment and has not joined in with any of the football. He is a little bit behind in that respect, so we're trying to give a crash course before next weekend."
Bolton Wanderers
Tyrone Mears has broken his leg in training, less than a week after joining the club. The defender, who completed his signing from Burnley last Friday, will now miss several months of the new season. Owen Coyle, the Bolton manager, told the club's official website: "Ty went in for a challenge and unfortunately suffered the injury. It was desperately unlucky for him and we will make sure that he is fully supported in his rehabilitation. He will go for a check and an assessment in a month and that will indicate more accurately the timescale for his recovery." Mears is the second Bolton player to break a leg in pre-season. The midfielder Lee Chung-yong was ruled out for a minimum of nine months after breaking his right leg in a friendly against Newport.
Liverpool
Stewart Downing is determined not to let his hefty transfer fee weigh heavily on him as he prepares for his first season with Liverpool. The Reds splashed out a figure believed to be around £20m to bring the winger to Anfield this summer from Aston Villa, where he had been voted player of the season. Downing said: "It's about picking up where I finished off last season with Aston Villa, carrying on my form and not doing anything differently. Just because of the fee, it doesn't mean I have to change."
Queens Park Rangers
QPR last night completed the signing of DJ Campbell from Blackpool on a two-year contract. The 29 year old joins for a reported fee of £1.25m, which triggered a release clause in his Seasiders contract. Campbell, who spent his early playing days in west London, becomes manager Neil Warnock's fourth summer signing. The striker told his new club's official website: "It's a club that I supported as a kid. I grew up around here and QPR have played a massive part in my life. This was my first club, from six to 16, so to finally be back here at the age of 29 is really special."
