Sporting briefs...

Mifsud starts: Michael Mifsud played his first full 90 minutes for Coventry City in last night's 1-0 home win over Luton in The Championship. The Maltese forward was handed his first start by caretaker coach Andy Heath after an eye-catching performance in the 3-2 defeat at Plymouth when he came off the bench to score the team's second goal. Leon McKenzie netted the winner for the Sky Blues yesterday that kept them 16th in the standings.

Hargreaves: Midfielder Owen Hargreaves, once a target for the boo boys, has won the fans' vote as England Player of the Year 2006, the Football Association said yesterday. Hargreaves got his latest accolade in a poll on the FA's website, having already been voted England's best player of the World Cup in Germany by supporters.

Maccarone: Siena have signed striker Massimo Maccarone from Premier League club Middlesbrough on a free transfer, the Serie A club said yesterday. The 27-year-old has signed a three-and-a-half year deal. The move represents a return to familiar territory for Maccarone, who spent four months on loan at Siena during the 2004-05 season.

Baraja: Valencia midfielder Ruben Baraja is expected to be out of action for two to three weeks after the club said he had sustained a small tear in his left thigh muscle. The player should be available for the Champions League last 16 tie at Inter on Feb. 21.

Liverpool: Deportivo Coruna have agreed to sell defender Alvaro Arbeloa to Liverpool yesterday. Spanish media reported Liverpool would pay four million euros ($5.18 million) for the 24-year-old.