Under-19 Euro squad is boosted by Villa and Tottenham

Two weeks ago, the FA's director of football development Sir Trevor Brooking expressed his concern about coach Noel Blake being able to name his strongest squad for the finals in Normandy because of a club versus country conflict.

At a time when Brooking has been stressing the importance of youth football as England look to recover from their dismal performances at the World Cup, the Under-19s were seen as a litmus test of whether England's senior outfits would be willing to make the changes required to bring about improvement on the international front.

There had been fears that Tottenham, in particular, might not be too happy at losing four of their young players at such a key point of the pre-season campaign.

However, following discussions between Brooking and Spurs manager Harry Redknapp, the quartet – John Bostock, Stephen Caulker, Dean Parrett and Andros Townsend – will all make the trip to France, along with Delfouneso, who has been given Martin O'Neill's blessing.

England will travel to Normandy on July 15 for games against Austria, Holland and France.

HULL CITY have cancelled the contract of Geovanni by mutual consent.

The 30-year-old is being chased by AEK Athens and Panathinaikos and is expected to complete a switch to Greece within the next couple of days.

Geovanni, who had a year remaining on his contract at the KC Stadium, joined the Tigers two summers ago and netted 13 goals in 65 appearances.

Hull, meanwhile, are expected to make former Reading and Sheffield United midfielder James Harper their first signing of the summer. The 29-year-old is available on a free transfer.

Middlesbrough have confirmed the signing of striker Kris Boyd from Scottish champions Rangers on a two-year deal.

The 26-year-old is the record goalscorer in Scottish Premier League history with 164 goals and he will join former Old Firm rival Scott McDonald, as well as ex-Celtic manager Gordon Strachan, at the Championship club.

Boyd had a prolific scoring record at Ibrox, claiming 101 goals in 118 league starts following his switch from Kilmarnock in January 2006.

The Scotland international finished as the club's top scorer in each of his five seasons in Glasgow and won consecutive SPL titles in 2009 and 2010 as well as two Scottish League Cup and two Scottish Cup winners' medals. He was the league's top scorer in four of his five seasons with Rangers.