Sporting briefs

Mertesacker: Werder Bremen centre-back Per Mertesacker will miss most of the rest of the season after suffering a knee injury in Sunday's 1-0 win over Nuremberg. Werder said in a statement the German international would have an operation today and would need between three and four weeks to recover.

Fans sue keeper: A CSKA Sofia fans' group is set to sue Levski Sofia and Bulgaria goalkeeper Georgi Petkov over some obscene gestures made after Saturday's match. Leaders Levski beat traditional foes CSKA 1-0 to stay three points clear at the top with CSKA in third. Petkov incensed CSKA fans behind the goal by gesturing and hitting an advertising placard just after the final whistle.

Villarreal: Villarreal have accused Atletico Madrid of unsporting behaviour after Fabiano Eller headed the only goal in Sunday's Primera Liga match while a player was down injured in the area. Villarreal striker Guillermo Franco went down just near the goal line after an Atletico corner was cleared in the 31st minute. "I am furious. They have used the fact we had a player down injured. They talk about fair play but we don't see this on the pitch," Villarreal president Fernando Roig said.

Mourinho: Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has appealed to fans to be on their best behaviour to ensure his side's Champions League quarter-final showdown against Valencia passes off without any trouble. "I hope the fans get on, that they have a beer or two, not too many though," the Portuguese said. "It is a chance for people of different cultures and languages to get together. I hope Chelsea can be proud of their fans and that Valencia too can contribute to a positive atmosphere just like there was at Stamford Bridge where there were no problems whatsoever."

Vaughan: Everton teenager James Vaughan was taken to hospital with a severed artery in his left leg sustained during his side's 1-1 draw against Bolton at the Reebok Stadium. The 18-year-old was carried off on a stretcher after attempting to strike a left-foot half-volley on the edge of the area, only to accidentally connect with Bolton defender Abdoulaye Meite just after the hour. Vaughan was attended to by club doctor Ian Irving in the dressing room before being taken to Beaumont Hospital.

MFA Division III: Qrendi vs Mgarr 0-0; Ta' Xbiex vs Xghajra 2-0.