Sporting briefs

Villanueva: Blackburn Rovers have signed Chile midfielder Carlos Villanueva on a year-long loan from Chilean club Audax Italiano with a view to a permanent deal, the Premier League club said. The 22-year-old Villanueva, Chile's player of the year in 2007, has agreed terms on a subsequent three-year deal in the event of a successful first year in England.

Niemi: Fulham's Finnish goalkeeper Antti Niemi requires a second operation on his injured left wrist, the Premier League club said yesterday. Niemi, 36, underwent surgery on the wrist in June but after he continued to experience discomfort, tests revealed further damage and he will have another operation next week.

Blatter: FIFA president Sepp Blatter has urged the Philippines to raise the standard of their national team and pledged to support a project to develop the game there. "This project will be close to my heart. I will give this project priority so that football can become the leading sport in Philippines," Blatter was quoted as saying.

Bentley scores: Striker Darren Bent and new signing David Bentley scored either side of the interval to earn Tottenham Hotspur a 2-0 victory over Celtic in the opening match of Feyenoord's 100th anniversary tournament on Friday. Tottenham started with new signings Gomes in goal and Luka Modric in midfield.

Palacios: Honduras midfielder Wilson Palacios has signed a new contract with Wigan Athletic, the Premier League club announced. The 24-year-old joined the Lancashire club in January, having been brought to England by Wigan manager Steve Bruce during the 2007 close season when he was in charge of his previous club Birmingham City.

French Super Cup: Bordeaux vs Lyon 0-0 (Bordeaux win 5-4 on pens).

Friendlies: Stockport County vs Manchester City 2-2; Birmingham City vs Fulham 1-1; Hibernian vs Middlesbrough 2-3; Rangers vs Liverpool 0-4; Shrew-sbury vs Stoke City 0-1; Sheffield Wednesday vs Wigan Athletic 0-1.