Sporting briefs

Terry: John Terry will captain England in their friendly against the United States today, manager Fabio Capello said. Terry was left distraught last Wednesday after missing the penalty that would have won the Champions League final for Chelsea against Manchester United in Moscow but Capello said the player was ready to lead his country at Wembley Stadium.

Valverde: Ernesto Valverde quit as coach of Espanyol after two years at the helm, saying it was the best for all concerned. The 44-year-old Spaniard joined in 2006 and led the Barcelona-based side to the UEFA Cup final without losing a game in 2007, where they drew 2-2 with Sevilla, but lost in the shoot-out.

Garlic ban: Japan striker Kazuki Ganaha succeeded in his appeal yesterday against a ban imposed on him for taking intravenous garlic infusions. The 27-year-old was suspended for six games last year for breaking the J-League's anti-doping rules after coming down with influenza. Ganaha took his case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), who heard his case at a two-day hearing in Tokyo earlier this month.

Pique goes: Barcelona have agreed to sign defender Gerard Pique from Manchester United on a four-year contract. The former Barca youth team centre-back left for United in 2004 and played the 2006-7 season on loan with Real Zaragoza. He moves for a reported fee of around five million euros.

Dressing-room gas: Palmeiras have been fined and given a home ban after the visiting team's dressing-room at their stadium filled with a mysterious gas during half-time at a game last month. Visitors Sao Paulo were forced to flee the changing-room and hold their half-time team talk on the pitch during the Paulista championship semi-final, second leg on April 20.

Cagliari: Former Cagliari coach Marco Giampaolo has been appointed manager of Siena, the Serie A side said yesterday. Giampaolo replaces Mario Beretta, who is moving on despite guiding Siena to a respectable 13th place in the league this term.

Milan: Milan continue to track Chelsea striker Andriy Shevchenko and Barcelona full-back Gianluca Zambrotta, the club's chief executive, Adriano Galliani, said. "If Chelsea let him leave, we will definitely sign Shevchenko. Zambrotta? With a lower price we will take him," Galliani told Sky television.

Friendlies: Germany vs Belarus 2-2; Albania vs Poland 0-1; Austria vs Nigeria 1-1; Czech Republic vs Lithuania 2-0; Estonia vs Georgia 1-1.