Sporting briefs

Gilardino: Fiorentina striker Alberto Gilardino has lost his appeal against a two-match ban for deliberately scoring with his arm in Sunday's 3-1 win at Palermo, the Italian soccer federation said. The Italy forward will miss today's home game with champions Inter and Sunday's trip to Siena.

Carrick: Champions Manchester United could have midfielder Michael Carrick back against his old club West Ham United in a league match today. Carrick has been out since breaking a bone in his foot against Liverpool in September. Owen Hargreaves is still unavailable because of a knee injury.

Michel: Former FIFA referee Lubos Michel has been appointed head of international competitions for Shakhtar Donetsk, the Ukrainian champions said. The Slovakian, who retired from officiating last month, has been put in charge of Shakhtar's Champions League and UEFA Cup campaigns. Michel, 40, began serving as a FIFA referee in 1993 and officiated in the 2004 and 2008 European championships as well as refereeing this year's Champions League final.

Ronaldinho: Ronaldinho will miss Milan's home game with Siena after sustaining a knock in Sunday's 1-0 win at Atalanta. "He had a bruise to his right kneecap. I think that even he will need a couple of days rest," Milan doctor Massimo Manara said. Milan, a point behind joint leaders Udinese, Inter and Napoli, will also be without the injured Mathieu Flamini.

Redknapp: Former Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp said he could hold his head high despite being heckled by Pompey fans yesterday when he returned to be awarded the freedom of the city. Redknapp was invited to the ceremony with his former players to receive the award after last season's FA Cup triumph. Television footage of the event showed Redknapp receiving a hostile reception with some fans shouting "Judas". "I left the club in great shape, most managers leave because it's in a mess," Redknapp said.

Muntari: Sulley Muntari, who has a right leg strain, will miss Inter's trip to Fiorentina today and could be out for a month. Fellow midfielder Esteban Cambiasso is also a doubt for Jose Mourinho's team.