Football news

Middlesbrough striker Mido will miss Egypt's decisive African Nations Cup qualifier against Botswana in Cairo later this month because of a hamstring injury.

The striker is out for the next three weeks after a scan on Monday, the website www.filgoal.com reported.

Defending champions Egypt need to avoid defeat against their southern African opponents in Cairo on October 13 to qualify for January's Nations Cup tournament in Ghana.

Boy hurt in Gerrard car collision

A 10-year-old boy suffered leg injuries after he collided with Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard's car on Monday, the BBC reported. The accident happened near the England midfielder's home.

"The Liverpool captain was distressed over the accident and has been in contact with the boy's family to check his progress and plans to visit him in the next couple of days," his spokesman was quoted as saying.

The spokesman added that Gerrard had spoken to police at the scene and had been driving very slowly before the accident when the boy ran out.

Ashton set for England call

Dean Ashton is likely to earn an England call-up following an impressive return to form after missing last season with an ankle injury.

Steve McClaren will name his squad to face Estonia and Russia on Friday and there are doubts over the fitness and form of many of his leading strikers.

Ashton, 23, has scored three goals in his last four games for West Ham.

"He has forced his way in," said McClaren. "He certainly comes into consideration."

England play Estonia at Wembley on October 13 and travel to Russia for a potentially decisive Group E Euro 2008 qualifier four days later.

Inter and Juventus chase Aguero

Old rivals Inter and Juventus are chasing Sergio Aguero, the Argentine striker who plays for Atletico Madrid.

He has scored 11 times in 31 games for the Spaniards since his arrival from Independiente and is helping fill the gap left by Fernando Torres.

The 19-year-old hitman is believed to be an option for Juve if contract negotiations with Alessandro Del Piero continue to stall. Inter have been watching Aguero for nearly a year.

FA to tackle players' behaviour

The Football Association plans to step up its campaign against bad behaviour by launching a pilot scheme that allows only captains to talk to referees.

English FA chief executive Brian Barwick said it will be introduced at grass-roots level and is part of a wider programme aimed at improving standards.

"It's not going to change the world but I am determined to make an impact - and I'll do it," Barwick said.

Ronaldinho dismisses Chelsea link

Barcelona's Ronaldinho dismissed rumours that he could be set to join Chelsea. He has two-and-a-half years left on his deal but has been linked to the Londoners since Jose Mourinho's managerial exit.

Ronaldinho's brother and agent Roberto de Assis is also thought to have held a meeting with Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich during the summer.

But Ronaldinho, 27, told reporters: "Not Chelsea or Milan. I want to stay at Barcelona, that is my wish."

Simic wants to leave Milan

Croat Dario Simic wants to leave San Siro and Milan and may accept a January move.

The 31-year-old defender has made 73 appearances for Milan since joining from city rivals Inter in 2002, but has become a fringe player this term.

"Last season I played around 30 games, but I haven't even been given a minute yet this time around," he said.

"This is my seventh year with Milan, but if there isn't space for me here I would rather go, possibly in January. I don't know where I would go yet, but this situation is intolerable."

Reading's Little hit by injury

Reading winger Glen Little will have an operation on an Achilles tendon today that will leave him sidelined for up to six months.

Little, 31, has not played for the Premier League club this season and his injury has not responded to treatment.

"I've scrapped this season, anything I get out of it is a bonus," Little told BBC Radio.

Team-mate Kalifa Cisse will have an operation on his knee on Friday and is set for a six-week lay-off.

Kanu seeks to pass 20-match mark

Portsmouth say Kanu is a certainty to stay at Fratton Park next season. Manager Harry Redknapp said the Nigeria striker needs to make only 20 first-team appearances this term to activate a new contract.

Kanu, who could miss some vital matches due to the African Nations Cup in January, has already started five matches this season.

The 31-year-old former Ajax, Inter and Arsenal star is battling to be fit for Sunday's visit to Fulham.

Redknapp said: "If Kanu doesn't play in 20 games he doesn't deserve another year, but he will play 20 games because he's good enough.

"And it is 20 appearances, too, not 20 starts. So he is going to get the games."