Football news in brief: Barry Bannan farmed out to Leeds on loan

Grayson said: "Barry's a player we've been tracking for a while. Circumstances have now changed where Villa are in a position to let him join us and I'd like to thank them for agreeing to the move."

Thomson to referee Old Firm cup final

Craig Thomson has been chosen to referee the cup final meeting between Celtic and Rangers at Hampden on Sunday, 20 March. Thomson has taken charge of one Old Firm meeting this season, Celtic's 2-0 SPL win at Ibrox on 2 January, when six players were booked. He will be under even more scrutiny than usual, after colleague Calum Murray showed three red cards and 13 yellows in the teams' Scottish Cup clash last week.

Ferguson will decide on rib injection

Birmingham manager Alex McLeish will let Barry Ferguson decide whether to undergo an injection which could allow him to return to action quicker after suffering a broken rib. Ferguson picked up the injury in a challenge with Arsenal's Samir Nasri during the Carling Cup final. "His welfare comes first and it must come from him if he makes the decision to have the jab," said McLeish.

Scots women held by Italy in Larnaca

Italy held Scotland to a 0-0 draw despite Anna Signeul's side dominating their final group game at the Cyprus Women's Cup. Both sides had goals chalked off and Kim Little had a late penalty saved in an absorbing encounter at the GSZ Stadium in Larnaca.

Scotland now face France in tomorrow's third/fourth place play-off after holders Canada defeated England 2-0 to top Group 1.

Slovakian football great Popluhar dies

Slovakia football great Jan Popluhar, a member of the Czechoslovakia team that reached the final of the 1962 World Cup in Chile, has died at the age of 75. The centre back anchored the Czechoslovak national team on their way to the 1962 World Cup final against Brazil, which Czechoslovakia lost 3-1. He was also in the team that won the bronze at the 1960 European Championship and played at the 1958 World Cup in Sweden.