Latest Transfer Update at 05-12-11

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Gregg Wylde: Settled with Rangers

WYLDE SETTLED AT RANGERS

Rangers winger Gregg Wylde insists he is settled with the SPL champions and now considers himself a first-team player.
Speculation mounted over the summer that the talented youngster's future could be away from Ibrox after contract talks stalled.
Gers rejected an offer from Bolton for the 20-year-old, who subsequently put pen to paper on a long-term deal with the Light Blues.
Wylde spoke with Ally McCoist over the summer and the rising star is delighted to have the backing from his manager.
"I'm really settled. I regard myself more as a first-team player which maybe I didn't do last season," he told the Daily Record.
"It's all about getting a run in the team and knowing the manager has belief in you. That's the biggest obstacle for a young player.
"I had a chat with the manager in pre-season and we spoke about what it would be like to play for him. And I'm loving my football now, coming in every day to train with the likes of Steve Davis and Nikica Jelavic."
Wylde also believes the arrival of Sone Aluko will spur him on to perform to his best on a consistent basis.
The arrival of the ex-Aberdeen man at Ibrox has increased competition for places and Wylde is relishing the challenge of retain his place in Gers' starting XI.
"The arrival of Sone will push me on. It happened last season when Vladimir Weiss came on loan. It was a challenge but I kept my place and hopefully I will again," he continued.
"That gave me a real boost last season, to keep Vlad out of the team. I was worried when he came that he'd keep me out because he had a big reputation.
"I feared I'd be sitting in the stands and I had to fight for my place. But I did it and I was glad to nail down a place in the side. It's really good to have another challenge from Sone."

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Michael Appleton: Committed to Portsmouth

APPLETON AT POMPEY FOR LONG TERM

Portsmouth boss Michael Appleton insists he is committed to the club for the long term.
Appleton registered his first win as Pompey boss with a 2-1 win over Coventry at the weekend, days after news that owners Convers Sports Initiatives had been placed in administration.
But despite the uncertainty at the club, Appleton is adamant he is committed to the Pompey cause.
"I don't see this job as a short-term fix for myself," he told the News. "I feel as though I'm at an age where I can stick around at Portsmouth for a long, long time, given the opportunity.
"I know that managers sometimes don't get that time in football, so I'm not stupid enough to think that's definitely going to happen and that it will be that easy.
"But I want to create something at Portsmouth and hopefully people will see the stuff I'm trying to create from the past couple of performances."

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Shay Given: Hamstring blow

SHAY GIVEN BLOW FOR ASTON VILLA

Aston Villa goalkeeper Shay Given will be sidelined for a month after suffering a hamstring injury against Manchester United on Saturday, the midlands club have confirmed.
Scans on Monday showed the 35-year-old Republic of Ireland international had suffered a small tear in his left hamstring during the 1-0 home defeat against the Red Devils.
American Brad Guzan, who replaced Given seven minutes before the break on Saturday, will continue to deputise between the posts in this weekend's Barclays Premier League game at Bolton.
Villa manager Alex McLeish told www.avfc.co.uk: "It is disappointing to lose Shay in such circumstances but, unfortunately, these things happen in football.
"We have to meet these challenges and we will. We have total faith in Brad who, as I said after the game against Manchester United on Saturday, can be proud of the way he stepped in when Shay had to come off.
"We will need within the football club for everybody to stick together and that strength of unity will help massively."
Meanwhile, Villa are awaiting results of a scan undergone by Jermaine Jenas, who was also carried off on a stretcher against United.
The on-loan Tottenham midfielder left the field with a serious-looking ankle injury after 64 minutes.
He posted on Twitter this afternoon: "Thanx 2 u all 4 ur support Im obviously gutted but it happens in football I'll b back stronger, again thanx I'll keep u updated on progress!"