LA Galaxy striker Robbie Keane set for two-month Aston Villa loan deal

Aston Villa are in talks to sign the LA Galaxy striker Robbie Keane on a two-month loan deal, which could be completed in time for their next Premier League game against Everton on 14 January. The Villa manager Alex McLeish says the club have held productive talks with the Republic of Ireland international over the short-term deal, after which Keane will return to the US for the start of the Major Soccer League season in March. McLeish said: "We are having a look at it with Robbie and trying to pursue it. That is the latest although nothing is done and dusted yet. If we don't know by Monday, then it probably will not be done. That's why I don't want to say too much in case it doesn't happen. We are certainly pursuing it and at the moment, both parties are keen. I would say the chances are a bit better than 50-50." If the deal is confirmed, Keane could face his Galaxy team-mate Landon Donovan, who has returned to Everton for a second loan spell, on his Villa debut. Keane is currently maintaining his fitness by training with his former club Tottenham, but is keen to retain his sharpness by playing during the MLS break ahead of this summer's Euro 2012 finals. McLeish also restated his position that the club's record signing, striker Darren Bent, is not for sale, amid continuing speculation linking him with Liverpool . McLeish said: "We've not heard a thing from Liverpool. I'm aware of the speculation. But there has been no contact with this club and I think you've had three parties telling you that. But, even if there was contact, we would not entertain that [selling Bent]." The Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech expects to sign a new extended contract despite reports that André Villas-Boas is planning to sell him in favour of the summer signing Thibaut Courtois, who is currently on loan at Atlético Madrid. "Yes, I think [I will sign a new deal] and we will not have a problem," Cech told the London Evening Standard. "I have been here for seven years and I have been more or less a regular starter, so I'm more than happy to stay. Chelsea are in the world's top competition, so I have no reason to leave. I would like to see myself staying here." However, Cech also refused to rule out one day plying his trade elsewhere. "It is difficult to leave the best league in the world and if you take a look around, you will not see many teams of Chelsea's category that would be looking to sign a new goalkeeper," he said. "If I would like to try something new, then it would have to be a club of a similar level to Chelsea. You never know, everything happens fast in the football life. You can sign a 10-year contract with a club and then end up leaving after three years. I'm 29 years old and I believe that there is still time for a possible change." The Sunderland defender John Egan has joined the Championship side Crystal Palace on a month's loan. The 19-year-old made it on to Sunderland's bench for the Premier League games against Manchester United and Fulham earlier in the season, but was unused. The Republic of Ireland Under-19 international, who has captained Sunderland's reserves this season, will be eligible for Palace's trip to Derby in the FA Cup third round on Saturday, as well as their two Carling Cup semi-final ties with Cardiff City. Palace have also signed the Doncaster Rovers defender Mustapha Dumbuya on a month's loan. The League Two leaders Crawley Town are hoping to sign Rudi Skacel on loan from Hearts until the end of the season. Town have asked the SPL club for permission to speak to the 32-year-old Czech midfielder Skacel, who previously had a spell in England with Southampton. "I can confirm we have made an approach to Hearts," Crawley's manager, Steve Evans, told his club's website. "We are keen to bring Rudi here on loan until the end of the season and it is now up to the boy's club as to whether we can have a chat with him."