Sporting briefs...

Van Persie injured: Arsenal striker Robin van Persie has sustained a "partial fracture" to his foot. The Dutch player suffered the injury when scoring the equalising goal in the 2-1 Premiership defeat of Manchester United, and now faces up to six weeks on the sidelines.Manager Arsene Wenger revealed he had hoped to let substitute Van Persie rest until United's opener forced his hand. The 23-year-old had been struggling with an ankle injury in the build-up to the game.

PSG through: A second-half goal by Bonaventure Kalou earned holders Paris SG a 1-0 victory over Ligue 2 side Gueugnon and a last-16 spot in the French Cup yesterday. The Ivory Coast striker netted from close range on 66 minutes after being set up by Uruguayan forward Cristian Rodriguez. The result gave former Rangers manager Paul Le Guen his first win on PSG's bench following a goalless draw against Toulouse in Ligue 1 on Wednesday. Other result: Monaco vs Toulouse 2-0.

In Scotland: Rangers consolidated second place in the Scottish Premier League with a 1-0 win at bottom club Dunfermline yesterday. Charlie Adam slid in after nine minutes to score the game's only goal following a good run and low cross from Nacho Novo. Rangers, who handed a debut to new signing David Weir, trail runaway leaders Celtic by a massive 17 points. Celtic, who have 62 points from 25 games, hammered St Mirren 5-1 on Saturday. Other result: Inverness vs Hibernian 3-0.

Danes beaten: The US beat Denmark 3-1 in a friendly last weekend in California to give new coach Bob Bradley a win on his debut. The game was the first for the US since their early exit at the World Cup seven months ago and it was their first win in five attempts against the Danes. The match, played in front of 10,048 spectators on an unusually frosty afternoon at the Home Depot Center, featured players almost entirely from the US and Danish leagues as the top talent playing in the bigger European leagues was unavailable.

Del Piero: Alessandro Del Piero has pledged the rest of his career to Juventus. On Saturday, he celebrated his 500th official appearance for the club with a goal in a 4-2 win over Bari. "I would like to stay on and celebrate even after my contract expires in 2008," said the captain. "If this is the present, then the future looks bright. I just don't see myself in another jersey."

Wigan: Wigan are thought to be closing in on the signing of Fulham midfielder Papa Bouba Diop. Manager Paul Jewell is desperate to bolster his squad in this month's transfer window as he looks to arrest their slump in form. "We have made an offer for a player that has been accepted by his club," said Jewell. "We are now waiting for that player to say yes or no. Hopefully that will be as early as tomorrow (today)."

Snooker: Masters final - O'Sullivan bt Ding 10-3.