Football news

Brazilian striker Ronaldo is set to return inside a month from the knee injury that has sidelined him since February, his physio Bruno Mazziotti said.

Ronaldo, who is without a club, has been undergoing a rehabilitation programme at Brazilian team Flamengo since August.

"The prediction depends on a number of factors but we think that, within one month or maybe less, he will be able to play again," Mazziotti said.

Last month Ronaldo told L'Equipe he had been involved in talks with Manchester City.

Ramos's job safe

Reports in the UK press said Juande Ramos has been assured his job as Tottenham Hotspur manager and is not in jeopardy even though the club's sporting director Damien Comolli could pay the price for the club's worst start to a season since 1912.

Tottenham are bottom of the Premier League standings after collecting just two points from their opening seven games.

But Ramos, appointed as Martin Jol's replacement 12 months ago, was apparently assured at a board meeting on Monday that he was not being blamed and would be given time to bring about an improvement.

The newspapers yesterday were united in their belief the Spaniard, who is under contract until 2011, has the backing of chairman Daniel Levy. Comolli is set to pay the price, The Sun said.

Thieves raid Adriano's house

The house of Inter striker Adriano was targeted by thieves on Saturday at the same time the Brazilian was helping his side to a 2-1 victory over Bologna.

Adriano looks to have rediscovered most of his old touch and scored a goal from the penalty spot against Bologna. However, his joy was turned into anguish after finding out that his house in Como had been broken into while he was on the pitch at San Siro.

The burglars helped themselves to a large number of valuable possessions and the episode has reportedly left Adriano shaken.

It is hoped that images from the CCTV cameras around Adriano's house may help the police identify the culprits.

Euro expansion silly - Blatter

Last month's decision to expand the European Championship finals from 16 to 24 teams was branded "silly" by Sepp Blatter.

"I was not happy about it," Blatter said. "Practically half of the associations will qualify which seems silly to me."

European soccer's governing body voted to expand the Euro finals from 2016, which means nearly half of UEFA's 53 countries will reach the finals.

"I am not sure about (diminishing) the quality but it is too complicated for me and not simple enough for countries to compete," added Blatter.

Cannavaro linked with Napoli

Fabio Cannavaro could be on his way to join Napoli in the January transfer window, his agent said.

The Real Madrid defender, who left Juventus in 2006, has already made public a desire to close his career at his hometown club and the move looks more attractive with Napoli on superb form.

"Napoli are a possible club for Fabio," Gaetano Fedele said.

"They need some great players to guide them to the top level. Fabio has a job to do with Real until December and then we will talk and see what happens. If he doesn't renew his deal then he will be free to go where he wants."

Mourinho considered coaching England

Jose Mourinho considered replacing Steve McClaren and taking over as England coach before opting to take the job at Italy champions Inter.

The Portuguese was out of work at the time, having left Chelsea in September last year but decided he wanted to remain in club management.

"At one moment I considered being England national manager because if you have one country where the prestige of the national team manager is huge, it is England," he said.

"But at the same time my passion for the day-by-day work, my desire to play every week and if possible more than one game a week, this is my life. That's the life I want to have.

"The national team job is not the kind of job that motivates me - it's a completely different profile."

Fortune set to join Brescia

South African Quinton Fortune is training with Brescia. The former Manchester United midfielder could sign for the Italian second division side in the next few days.

The 31-year-old will undergo a medical at the Italian outfit before signing a contract.

The former Manchester United midfielder has been a free agent since leaving Bolton last year after an unsuccessful stint at the club. He left Old Trafford in 2006 after seven years at the club.

After departing Bolton following just six appearances, Fortune had a series of failed trials at Blackburn, Sunderland and Sheffield United.