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Mid-Day Ticker: Keane training with Villa, Ballon D’or to be decided and more

Keane - Getty

By CALEB SONNELAND

Robbie Keane, it would seem, has already sealed his switch to Aston Villa.

The Irishman, reported to be on the brink of a loan move to the Premier League club, is already training with Villa, as seen on a video on the club website.

Contracted to MLS and playing with the LA Galaxy, Keane is looking, like many others, to find playing time abroad during the MLS off-season.

Villa boss Alex McLeish has been hotly pursuing the 31-year-old, and it seems that the short-term loan deal has finally come to fruition.

Should the deal be made final in time, Keane could line up against Galaxy team-mate Landon Donovan when Aston Villa welcomes Everton to Villa Park on the 14th of the month.

Here are some other stories to keep your Monday rolling along:

BALLON D'OR TO BE DECIDED    

Today we'll find out who the best soccer player in the world is, according to FIFA.

With Lionel Messi, Xavi and Cristiano Ronaldo all in the running, it's business as usual when the winner is finally crowned in Zurich, Switzerland tonight.

Messi, having won the prestigious award two years in a row, could become the first man since Michel Platini to snag it a third time in successive years. 

However, Xavi and Ronaldo have enjoyed extremely successful seasons thus far and cannot be overlooked.

The ceremony can be seen live, at 1:00pm ET, here.

HUGHES IN, WARNOCK OUT AT QPR

Neil Warnock's spell as manager at Queens Park Rangers has come to an end, and Mark Hughes has reportedly been given the nod at the London club.  

Warnock was shown the exit door following QPR's FA draw at MK Dons, however, it is reported that Warnock was intending to retire at the end of the current campaign anyhow.

QPR had only taken two points from a possible 21 in the Premier League, leaving the club languishing just one point above the relegation zone (currently occupied by Bolton, Wigan and Blackburn, respectively).  

With the January transfer window recently opened, it was important to replace Warnock quickly, as Hughes will now have command of a sizeable transfer budget.

Warnock made it just under two years at QPR, seeing the club to Premier League promotion, but it seems that Hughes will finish what Warnock started. 

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Think the loan move is a good one for Keane? Who wins the Ballon d'Or today? Think they deserve it?

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