Football news

Chris Hughton is the caretaker manager of Newcastle following the departures of Terry McDermott and Adam Sadler.

Assistant boss McDermott and reserve team coach Sadler have both left St James' Park in the wake of Kevin Keegan's exit last week.

McDermott had a long coaching association with the club dating back to Keegan's first stint in charge in 1992. Former youth team goalkeeper Sadler worked at the club's academy before.

Hughton will take charge of Newcastle for this weekend's clash with Hull.

Captain Yorke bows to pressure

Trinidad's preparations for tomorrow's World Cup qualifier in the US were hit when captain Dwight Yorke, 36, bowed to pressure from his club Sunderland to skip the match.

The Trinidad FA said Yorke was ruled out with a thigh injury but the veteran midfielder confirmed that Sunderland had ordered his return to England.

"I am feeling caught between a rock and a hard place with my club and my country," Yorke said. "I want to play against the US but I don't know if I will be allowed to."

Yorke, 36, recently signed a new one-year deal with Sunderland and has been promised a coaching job with the Premier League club at the end of his playing career.

Europe first, Juve chief says

Giovanni Cobolli Gigli said Juve's top priority this season is the Champions League rather than the domestic championship.

Many reckon the Old Lady needs more time to gel but the Juve chairman is already scenting success.

"I want to see Juventus in Japan for the Club World Cup because the Champions League is my main priority," he said.

"The Serie A is important but we want a good run in Europe. I want Juve to be the masters of Europe because we are a worldwide brand and I want us to succeed with a more Italian Juve. Giovinco will soon sign a new contract.

"Along with Mario Balotelli, I think Giovinco will be the future of the Italian national team."

Ferdinand makes trip to Croatia

England defender Rio Ferdinand travelled to Zagreb for the World Cup qualifier against Croatia after coming through a full training session in Barcelona.

The 29-year-old, who missed the win over Andorra at the weekend with a back complaint, prepared with the rest of the squad after staying in Spain before boarding a flight to the Croatian capital.

The Manchester United defender suffered no immediate reaction following the session, raising hopes of facing Slaven Bilic's side in a clash that could set the tone for the campaign to reach South Africa in 2010.

Everton centre-back Joleon Lescott stepped in against Andorra and Matthew Upson is also in the squad should Ferdinand not make it.

Hyypia out of 'Pool's Euro squad

Sami Hyypia has been omitted from Liverpool's Champions League squad as new rules stipulate that clubs must include at least eight home-grown players in their 25-man group.

Hyypia, the Finland defender, has been among those to miss out. He will be left in England as Liverpool get their European campaign underway against Marseille next Tuesday.

"The manager's decision to leave me out of the squad is a big disappointment for me," he told the Liverpool Echo.

"I understand it's partly because of the UEFA regulations. But the club had a 'perfect' timing for this: they didn't want me to move elsewhere, so that's why I was told the news of having been left out, just after the transfer window had closed."

Sections of Napoli stadium closed

Some sections of Napoli's San Paolo stadium will be closed until the end of October after violence marred their opening Serie A match at Roma, the Italian Soccer League said.

Interior Minister Roberto Maroni had already banned the Naples club's fans from travelling to away games all season following the trouble on Aug. 31, in which a train was ransacked causing half a million euros in damage.

The end stands, or 'curve', were being closed because they are the parts of the stadium usually frequented by the fans who caused the trouble, sporting judge Gianpaolo Tosel said in a statement on the league's website.

Bilic more secure with Croatia

The vacant managerial posts at West Ham and Newcastle are of no interest to Slaven Bilic, the Croatia national team coach.

Bilic, who played for West Ham in defence, has been strongly linked with filling Alan Curbishley's void as West Ham's shortlist also includes Gianfranco Zola, Roberto Donadoni and Michael Laudrup.

Bilic said: "I'm not going anywhere. Any club from England is a great opportunity. But this job is so uncertain. Look at Keegan or Curbishley. It's only three games into the season and they're already out.

"My wish is to stay another two years here but, if I lose a couple of games and they say 'off you go' then maybe I will go."