HUDDERSFIELD TOWN
Manchester United winger Ben Thornley is set to sign for Huddersfield. The 23-year-old, who spent three months on loan at the McAlpine Stadium during the 1995-96 season, has agreed a three-year deal. United want £500,000 for a player who will be available for nothing in 12 months, if the clubs fail to agree a fee it will go to a tribunal. Town boss Peter Jackson said: ''Ben will excite the fans, create chances and score goals. He is just the type of quality player we need.''

PORTSMOUTH
Striker John Durnin has signed a new two-year contract worth an estimated £200,000, his reward for scoring the goals which kept Portsmouth up.

SUNDERLAND
The full cost of Michael Gray's missed penalty in Monday's play-off final became apparent yesterday when around £10m was wiped off the company's stock market value when trading opened, nose-diving to around 390p from Friday's close of 512.5p. It's another blow for manager Peter Reid, who is believed to have shares worth a six-figure sum. Though if he still has faith in his team for next season, now would actually be a good time to invest further because the shares could go through the roof if they go up next season.

WATFORD
Peter Kennedy, the Division Two champions' leading scorer last season, is recovering well after a knee operation. Kennedy, who hit 13 goals, is out of hospital and progressing well. A club official said: Hopefully this will cure the problem.

WEST BROMWICH ALBION
Manager Denis Smith is waiting patiently for Bob Taylor to make a decision about his future at the Hawthorns. Taylor is weighing up an offer from the Baggies but has the chance to make a switch to Bolton Wanderers, with whom he had two loan spells last season as they fought a losing battle to stay in the Premiership. Smith would like Taylor to stay with the club and he said: I have spoken to Bob's agent and am waiting for him to get back to me.

WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS
Mark McGhee expects striker Don Goodman to make a money-spinning switch to Japanese club Sanfrecce Hiroshima. Goodman is out of contract and has been waiting for Wolves to offer him a new deal but now looks likely to seal his move to Japan next week. McGhee admitted: What they have offered puts him out of our league.
ANOTHER player who could be on the way out is goalkeeper Hans Segers. The former Wimbledon keeper is also a free agent this summer and the club hasn't said whether he will get a new contract. The Dutchman, given a chance at Molineux after his acquittal on match-fixing charges, hit the headlines earlier this year when he saved a late penalty in the FA Cup quarter-final win over Leeds.

SCOTTISH ROUND-UP SCOTTISH Professional Footballers' Association chief Tony Higgins has urged clubs to make counselling readily available for players to air their personal problems. Speaking in the wake of Scotland goakeeper Andy Goram's decision to retire from international football after his private life was made public, Higgins stressed young players must be guided on how to handle media exposure. ''Andy is a very popular person with everyone," he said. "Nobody in the game has a bad word to say about him in terms of his character or his ability. I think it is self-evident there is more pressure on players in terms of their private lives now, far greater than it has been previously. From the Players' Union point of view, this is a major issue. The game has to do far more preparation with young players. "In recent months, we have been in discussion with a group called 'Score', who offer a chaplaincy service," Higgins continued. "What we are looking at is having somebody like them in each major club. It would be someone independent, who the players could go to in total confidence and speak to on issues concerning their private lives. There are few professions where somebody can become a national hero in their teens, and too many players have what they view as bad experiences with the media at an early age." Higgins said that as well as being coached on playing the game of football, young prospects need to be educated on what to expect when they are in the spotlight. ''Media training gives them an understanding of what it will be like should they make it," he said, "because overnight they can be up there on a par with politicians and pop stars suffering a level of scrutiny in their private lives. The earning capacity for the top young players if they break into a Premiership team is incredible, so it is important to at least give them an idea of what that will be like." DUNFERMLINE Pay rebel Andy Smith could be looking for a move after contract talks broke down. Smith, who scored 26 goals last season and earned a Scotland B cap, was offered a three-year extension to his current package but claimed: "To say I'm disappointed would be putting it mildly. I'm stunned. I love it here but unless the club come up with a better deal, I will have to seriously reconsider my future." Kilmarnock are the favourites to move in if he does demand a move but Reading, managed by former Celtic boss Tommy Burns, are watching events with interest. MORTON Morton have reported Kilmarnock to both the Scottish League and the SFA, and are demanding £500,000 for midfielder Alan Mahood, who is set to switch to the Rugby Park club when his contract expires in June. They are upset at Killie's announcement of a three-year deal with the player before he is officially able to move on a Bosman free transfer, claiming the public statement is against the rules of the Scottish League. RAITH ROVERS Manager Jimmy Nicholl is scraping around for more money to try and re-sign Danny Lennon. "He wants to stay and doesn't want to talk to anyone else," said Nicholl, "but, at the moment, we're just a little bit short." ST JOHNSTONE Alan Kernaghan has turned down several major bids to return to England and accepted a new two-year deal to remain in Perth. The former Wimbledon and Manchester City central defender was outstanding last season for Saints after joining them from the floundering Maine Road colossus. "They restored my self confidence," he said.

DIVISIONS TWO AND THREE BOURNEMOUTH The Cherries ended their mini-tour of America with a 5-2 victory over Fox Valley River Rebels despite being without Ian Cox, John Bailey, Jamie Vincent and Eddie Howe. They lost their other match of the tour, going down 2-1 to Milwaukee Rampage. BRISTOL ROVERS Rovers have completed a deal which will give them ownership of a home in the city for the first time in years, teaming up with Bristol Rugby Club to buy The Memorial Ground for £2.3m. WYCOMBE WANDERERS Premiership new boys Charlton will play at Adams Park in pre-season. Former Wycombe boss John Gregory also returns with Aston Villa and Crystal Palace, one of new boss Neil Smillie's old clubs are due to visit. Wycombe have also arranged a trip to Ryman League champions Kingstonian on July 21. COLCHESTER UNITED Manager Steve Wignall has promised not to put the promoted club in financial trouble just so they can survive in the Second Division. The Us won the right to face the likes of Manchester City and Stoke by beating Torquay in the Wembley play-off final. Wignall said: We will be miles behind everyone else in terms of finance but that won't frighten us. NOTTS COUNTY The Division Three champions have told Burnley that they can't have manager Sam Allardyce. Chief executive Geoff Davey said: If any club wanted Sam for their manager they would have a fight on their hands. COUNTY are hoping to sign Plymouth Argyle's 25-year-old out-of-contract midfielder Chris Billy, who has refused a new deal with the West Country club after they were relegated to Division Three. County may also offer terms to striker Mark Quayle who is looking for a new club after failing to make the grade with Everton. WALSALL New manager Ray Graydon is being linked with a possible move for out-of-contract Burnley defender Chris Vinnicombe. Vinnicombe, 27, shot to prominence earlier in his career when he joined the Scottish giants Rangers as a youngster from Exeter City. DIVISION THREE BRIGHTON The Seagulls hope their exile in Gillingham will end at a special council planning meeting next Tuesday. Albion, desperate to end their unpopular ground share at Gillingham, could start playing at Withdean athletics stadium by mid-September if councillors agree and the club consents to 19 criteria the officials have put forward. MIDFIELDER Jeff Minton has told manager Brian Horton he wants to think over the club's new contract offer while he's on holiday. Out of contract striker Richard Barker has signed a new two year deal. CARDIFF CITY Teenager striker Chris Roberts is expected to accept a new improved contract. He will join defender Lee Jarman who has already signed a new two year contract, but midfielder Jason Fowler and utility player Craig Middleton are still considering new offers. GILLINGHAM Popular defender Adrian Pennock has agreed a new two year deal to stay at Priestfield. The 27-year-old was the subject of several offers from other clubs and his decision has delighted chairman Paul Scally: Adrian's signing is even bigger news than the arrival of Mark Saunders (signed from Plymouth). He loves the club and we're delighted he's staying. MANSFIELD TOWN The Stags have unveiled a new sponsorship deal with Mansfield Brewery, ending fears that the company would pull out. Brewery bosses expressed concerns over the club's proposals to redevelop Field Mill, but a one year deal - believed to be worth £50,000 - has been struck. Marketing manager Nicola Wilcockson said: ''We can understand the concerns expressed by both supporters and Mansfield Brewery.''

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