FOOTBALL SHORTS

CHELSEA have opened talks with midfielder Ramires over a new contract. The 27-year-old’s £65,000-per-week deal expires in 2017.

NEWCASTLE United are leading a posse of Premier League club in pursuit of Ireland centre-half Richard Keogh. Steve McClaren is eager to sign the €5m-rated defender but faces opposition from West Brom and Sunderland Keogh, 28, signed for Derby from Coventry in 2012, and has since established himself as a regular in the Irish senior squad.

ASTON VILLA are considering a move for Swansea City defender Jazz Richards. Manager Tim Sherwood is believed to have been impressed by the 24-year-old’s display for Wales against Belgium, where as right wing-back he shackled Eden Hazard.

FORMER England manager Fabio Capello, 69, is in talks about his future as Russia coach after surviving a meeting yesterday when it was widely believed he would be sacked. Russia are in danger of failing to qualify for the 2016 European Championship.

LEAGUE TWO side Northampton Town are to be taken over by an Indian consortium.

RTÉ have secured the TV, radio and online rights for next summer’s European Championship finals. The expanded 24-team format means 51 games.

IRELAND play Switzerland in their second group match of the European Women’s U17 finals in Reykjavik today (2.0 Irish time). After losing their first game to France, Dave Connell’s team can’t afford any further mishaps.