Sporting briefs

Kaboul: Portsmouth have confirmed their interest in Tottenham defender Younes Kaboul but will not pay over the odds for him. Kaboul has been told he can leave White Hart Lane and Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp would love to make him his latest signing if the price is right. "I like him, Kaboul," Redknapp told Sky Sports News. "He's a young player I tried to sign before and I'm interested, but the price has got to be right.

Stoke: Premier League newcomers Stoke City have broken their transfer record to sign striker Dave Kitson from Reading for 5.5 million pounds. The 28-year-old has signed a three-year contract and is the club's first signing since they gained promotion. "He's a natural goalscorer who works his socks off for the team," Stoke manager Tony Pulis said.

Gerrard: Steven Gerrard has returned home from Liverpool's training camp in Switzerland for treatment on a groin injury. "Steven has a slight groin strain which will keep him out for between seven and 10 days," said club spokesman Ian Cotton. "He has left the training camp to return to Melwood where he will receive treatment on the injury."

Italy Champions: Italy have won the European Women's Under-19 Championship after defeating Norway 1-0 in the final played in France. Alice Parisi was the hero by converting a penalty on 71 minutes.

Friendlies: Oostende vs Hull 1-1; Arbroath vs Sunderland 1-3; Barnet vs Arsenal 1-2; Cambridge vs Everton 4-2; Fulham vs Celtic 3-1; Hartlepool vs Newcastle 1-4; Wisla Krakow vs Liverpool 1-1.

Tennis: Wimbledon champion Venus Williams has withdrawn from this week's Los Angeles Classic with tendonitis in her right knee, tournament organisers said. Williams has not played a tour match since beating her sister Serena for her fifth Wimbledon title nearly two weeks ago. Jelena Jankovic, Svetlana Kuznetsova and Serena Williams are the event's top three seeds.

Basketball: The Utah Jazz have signed point guard Deron Williams to a contract extension, the team announced. Williams, who has led the Jazz to two consecutive Northwest Division titles and averaged 18.8 points and 10.5 assists per game last season, signed a three-year deal with an option for a fourth.