Hierro: Defender Fernando Hierro has announced that he will retire from professional football at the end of this season. "I'm clear about the decision but I wanted to leave it while I'm still playing at a high level," the 37-year-old said. Hierro, who made a record 89 international appearances as an outfield player for Spain, joined Bolton on a one-year contract last July after a season in Qatar playing for Al Rayyan.

Lauren: Arsenal defender Lauren has agreed to return to the Cameroon team for next month's World Cup qualifier against Benin after a three-year absence, coach Artur Jorge. Lauren has refused call-ups to the Cameroon side since the 2002 World Cup finals, where he won the last of his 24 caps, citing incidents of poor management. Although born in the central African country, Lauren spent most of his life in Spain where his parents were political exiles.

Troussier: Marseille coach Philippe Troussier dismissed speculation he is about to leave the club following a series of poor results. "I will not give up. I will stand and face up to my responsibilities," Troussier said. Marseille lost hope of securing a Champions League berth next season when they slumped to a 3-2 shock home defeat to struggling Caen on Saturday. They are fourth in the Ligue 1 standings with 53 points from 35 games.

Hristov: Bulgaria's influential midfielder Marian Hristov is likely to miss the World Cup Group Eight qualifier at home to Croatia next month. Ivan Vassilev, the doctor who operated on Hristov's knee in Germany earlier this year, told the radio station Sport he did not expect the VfL Wolfsburg player to be fit enough to join up with Bulgaria's squad. Third-placed Bulgaria have eight points from five World Cup qualifiers. They are five points adrift of leaders Croatia.

Serie B: Salernitana vs Albino-Leffe 1-1.