Football News

Newcastle United midfielder Joey Barton could be out for about six weeks after fracturing a metatarsal in Saturday's 1-1 friendly draw with Carlisle.

"Barton sustained a partial fracture of the fifth metatarsal in his left foot," a club statement said.

Barton only joined Newcastle in a £5.8m deal from Manchester City in June and was the team captain for their friendly against Carlisle.

Striker Michael Owen was absent from the Newcastle line-up because of a minor thigh strain, picked up in training.

Heinze demands starting role

Gabriel Heinze has called on Alex Ferguson to give him a regular place in the Manchester United first-team, if he is not to leave the club.

Heinze has been linked with a transfer to rivals Liverpool but Ferguson has previously dismissed the move and is confident the Argentine defender will report for pre-season training.

"I will only leave if Alex Ferguson says to my face that I do not enter in his plans," Heinze said.

"I don't consider myself inferior to anyone."

Mourinho dismisses Robben transfer talk

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has played down reports that Arjen Robben's absence from the friendly with Los Angeles Galaxy was because of a move to Real Madrid.

Real claimed last week that they were confident of landing the winger and he was set to fly out to Spain.

But Mourinho said Robben, 23, missed the game because he has a knee problem.

"Robben was not available. He is here and he is flying home with us, not to Madrid," confirmed Mourinho.

Petrov eyes Spurs move

Atletico Madrid midfielder Martin Petrov is willing to consider a move to Tottenham Hotspur.

Spurs boss Martin Jol has been a long-time admirer of the 28-year-old Bulgarian, and failed with a £7.5 million for him a year ago. But he remains interested although he could face competition from Manchester City.

Petrov appears to be keener on a move to White Hart Lane, though. He said: "Spurs are a big club and this season play in the UEFA Cup - that is always an interest to any player."

Ljungberg close to West Ham

West Ham are close to signing Freddie Ljungberg while they are also being heavily linked with a move for Lomana LuaLua. Reports said Ljungberg is ready to put pen to paper at Upton Park after agreeing personal terms worth around £60,000 a week in a deal that will net Arsenal £3 million.

Alan Curbishley's summer activity looks unlikely to stop with the signing of Ljungberg with several Sunday newspapers tipping LuaLua as another top target for the West Ham boss.

The Portsmouth striker faces renewed competition at Fratton Park following the arrivals of David Nugent and John Utaka.

Giannichedda ends Juve stay

After Alessio Tacchinardi, Giuliano Giannichedda has also announced he's terminating his contract with Juventus.

"This is a bit of a sad day for me," the former Udinese and Lazio player said.

"I am nearly 33 and would like to play on for a while longer. The club was very kind and soon I will be a free agent."

Juve are completely revamping their squad for the return to the Serie A. Giannichedda never quite got a chance to show his worth in Turin, as his first campaign in 2005-06 was marred by injury.

Camoranesi tackle irks Zanetti

Mauro Camoranesi almost came to blows with team-mate Cristiano Zanetti in a pre-season training session last weekend. Journalists witnessed Camoranesi making a late sliding tackle on Zanetti in a game between ranks.

Zanetti was furious and the two continued to argue even after coach Claudio Ranieri called an early halt to the match.

However, it was reported that Ranieri admonished the players after the incident and they have since made up their differences.

Kaka should stay with Milan - Pele

Brazil legend Pele has advised Kaka to stay with Milan despite strong interest from Real Madrid.

"I played for 20 years at Santos and was always faithful even if I received lucrative offers from Real Madrid and Juventus," he said.

"I don't want to tell Kaka how he should behave, but just to look inside himself.

"He seems happy at Milan, so why should he change?"

Milan have a Brazilian feel to them with Kaka, Ronaldo, Nelson Dida, Marcos Cafu and Serginho in their ranks.

Davids out with broken leg

Ajax Amsterdam midfielder Edgar Davids will be sidelined for three months with a broken leg, his club said.

Davids broke his shinbone in the first half of a friendly match against Go Ahead Eagles Deventer on Saturday.

The match was abandoned after 33 minutes because of crowd violence in the stadium of the second-division team.