P312 CEEFAX 2 312 Thu 25 Dec 23:06/45 NEWS IN BRIEF 1/3 Reading have beaten off competition from Stoke, Watford and Grimsby to sign Birmingham's Welsh Under-21 winker Jason Bowen. Charlton strikjt Steve Jones has returned to formjt club Bournemouth on a month's loan and is in the squad for the Boxing Day game with Gillingham. Hamilton's home game with Airdrie, which was postponed on December 13 bjcausj of safety reasons, has been rearranged for December 30 at 7.30pm. ENGLANDOSCOTLAND WORLD CUP PRIZE 356 Football 302 Cricket 340 M/Sport 360 Prim Fixs Headlines Football Main menuP312 CEEFAX 2 312 Thu 25 Dec 23:15/33 NEWS IN BRIEF 2/3 South African coaches have reacted angrily to suggestions that Tjtry Venables may become the national boss. Formjt national manager Stanley Tshabalala said: "Wj do not need ovjrsjas coaches to alter our style. They come for money not the love of it" Middlisbrough striker Chris Freestone has joined Northampton for £75,000. He had been on loan at the club. Scotland travel club mjmbjrs have until January 9 to apply for tickets for next year's World Cup finals. ENGLANDOSCOTLAND WORLD CUP PRIZE 356 Football 302 Cricket 340 M/Sport 360 Prim Fixs Headlines Football Main menuP312 CEEFAX 2 312 Thu 25 Dec 23:54/08 NEWS IN BRIEF 3/3 Stoke have signed 29-year-old striker Marco Gabbiadini from Greek club Ethnikos on a month's trial. The ex-Derby player will feature on Boxing Day against Sheffield United. Liverpool striker David Thompson has had his loan dial at Swindon extended for another month. Paul Dalton has signed a new two-and-a- half year contract with Huddersfield. Port Vale have signed Manchester City djfendjr Paul Beesley on a month's loan ENGLAND/SCOTLAND WORLD CUP PRIZE 356 Football 302 Cricket 340 M/Sport 360 Prim Fixs Headlines Football Main menu