FOOTBALL SHORTS

DAN ASHWORTH is a leading contender to be appointed technical director at Brighton. The 47-year-old spent five years as sporting and technical director at West Brom before moving to the FA in 2012. He has played a large role in the emergence of England teams from Under 16s to Under 21s.

BURNLEY have held talks with Swansea over a double deal for defender Alfie Mawson and midfielder Sam Clucas.

STOKE are in talks with Aston Villa over defender James Chester. Villa rejected a Stoke’s £5m offer for the Wales international last week.

ANTON WALKES has joined Portsmouth from Tottenham for £200,000. The versatile right back, 21, impressed on loan at Pompey last season.