Sporting briefs

Forssell: Birmingham striker Mikael Forssell has started compulsory military service in Lahti. Army Sports School coach Jari Karinkant said the 27-year-old will be allowed to spend about half his six-month term playing for City, who have just been relegated from the Premier League.

Alves: Sevilla's Brazil fullback Daniel Alves, linked with a move to Barcelona, may leave at the end of the season, the club's sporting director Ramon "Monchi" Rodriguez said. "If he does leave he should get the send off he deserves because he has given everything for this club," he said.

Deco: Barcelona midfielder Deco has been given the go-ahead to talk to other clubs after being told he can leave the Primera Liga side at the end of the season. "I will almost certainly go to England or Italy. I won't stay in Spain as the only club at the same level as Barcelona is Madrid and I would never go to Madrid," Deco said.

Udinese: Udinese will play in next season's UEFA Cup after winning their appeal against a decision by the Italian Football Federation not to grant them a European licence. Udinese are seventh in Serie A but will take the place of the Italian Cup winners because Champions-League bound Roma and Inter meet in the final on May 24.

In England: League One, play-off semi-final 2nd leg - Carlisle vs Leeds 0-2 (Leeds win 3-1 on aggregate). U-21 friendly: Wales vs England 0-2.