Sporting briefs...

France: France coach Raymond Domenech will name his first choice goalkeeper for the World Cup finals when he unveils his 23-man squad today, said Gregory Coupet, who is battling with Fabien Barthez to be the no.1. "Raymond Domenech came to see me and told me he would announce his decision on Sunday," Coupet said. "I've prepared myself to be the no.1. If I'm not, I do not know how I will react," he added.

Barthez: Fabien Barthez will leave Marseille at the end of the season, club chairman Pape Diouf was quoted as saying yesterday. Diouf indicated that Cedric Carasso, who deputised for Barthez when he was handed a five-month ban last season for spitting at a referee in a friendly against Wydad Casablanca, would take over as first choice. "It's logical," he said.

Rooney: Injured England forward Wayne Rooney is taking very positive steps in his bid to be fit for the World Cup finals, England doctor Leif Sward said. "I talked to the doctors in Manchester and the report they gave me was very, very positive," Sward said. Rooney was photographed riding a bicycle at Manchester United's Carrington training ground on Friday.

Cris: Brazil centre back Cris extended his contract with Olympique Lyon until 2010, the five-times French champions' chairman said yesterday. Cris's contract had been due to expire at the end of the 2008/09 season. No financial details were available.

Lorient Promoted: Lorient won promotion to Ligue 1 with a 3-1 victory over Reims in the final round of Ligue 2 matches on Friday. The team from Brittany finished third in Ligue 2 behind champions Valenciennes and second-placed Sedan, who had already made sure of returning to the top flight.

In England: League Two promotion play-off SFs (first legs) - Lincoln vs Grimsby 0-1; Wycombe vs Cheltenham 1-2.