Sporting briefs

Adebayor: Arsenal striker Emmanuel Adebayor could be rested for today's league game at Bolton after leading the line all season. Adebayor has shouldered the scoring burden after injuries to Robin van Persie and Eduardo da Silva. "I believe he has given a lot this year and that he would need a little breather, maybe," Arsene Wenger told reporters.

Podolski: Germany striker Lukas Podolski will consider his future at Bayern Munich once the season is over after getting fed up with his role as a substitute. "I've had it up to here with being on the bench," Podolski said. "I'll think about my future at the end of the season. We have to see whether it makes sense for either side."

Cahill out: Everton striker Tim Cahill is out for the rest of the season with a broken foot. Cahill, who missed Australia's 0-0 draw away to China in an Asian 2010 World Cup qualifier on Wednesday, was injured during last weekend's league match at home to West Ham.

Adriano: Adriano scored one goal and set up another to help Sao Paulo beat Sertaozinho 3-1 in the Paulista championship on Thursday. The win lifted Sao Paulo to third in the championship with 32 points from 17 games. The top four teams qualify for the semi-finals.

Van Gaal: AZ Alkmaar coach Louis van Gaal will step down at the end of this season, NOS television reported yesterday. The former Dutch national coach, who also had spells in charge of Ajax and Barcelona, succeeded Co Adriaanse in 2005.

Betis stadium: Real Betis will be allowed to play Barcelona at their own ground today despite being given a two-match stadium ban after a visiting player was hit in the face by a bottle thrown from the crowd. Betis had been ordered to play the match at Atletico Madrid's Vicente Calderon stadium by the Spanish FA but Spain's Sporting Discipline Committee agreed to an appeal from the club asking for a delay to the sanction.

In England: League One - Doncaster vs Nottm. Forest 1-0; Tranmere Rovers vs Swindon Town 2-1.

MFA Div. Three: Zejtun vs Xghajra 1-1; Pembroke vs Kirkop 4-0.

Basketball: Louis Borg Cup final (men) first leg - Mellieha SVS vs BUPA Luxol 53-103.