Football news

Manchester City are preparing to make a bid for Sevilla striker Luis Fabiano, his agent has said.

Reports suggest that City manager Mark Hughes wants to strengthen his attack during the January transfer window and Luis Fabiano joins Roque Santa Cruz and Lukas Podolski in being linked with a move to Eastlands.

"Manchester City have asked about Fabiano but that is not unique because they are just one of many," Jose Fuentes was quoted as saying yesterday.

"The final decision lies with Sevilla and I still have to speak to the club's directors."

Rocchi not going to Fiorentina

The agent of Lazio striker Tommaso Rocchi has refuted reports that his client is set to join Fiorentina.

Over the last four seasons, Rocchi has become a key player for Lazio but he seems to have fallen down the pecking order since the arrival of Argentine ace Mauro Zarate.

"There are no problems between Rocchi and the club, everything is back to normal," agent Oscar Damiani told Tuttomercatoweb.

"It's true that the Viola asked about him a few years ago, but there has been no contact with them so far. He (Rocchi) loves it here in Rome. He has a good rapport with the coach and he's the skipper of a team that are having a great campaign."

Trezeguet returns to training

Frenchman David Trezeguet has returned to training with Juventus following a knee injury. "Today (Wednesday), I have been able to jog a little bit," he told French sports daily L'Equipe.

Trezeguet, who underwent surgery in September, is not expected to be playing again before February.

Reports from Italy yesterday claimed that Spanish giants Real Madrid are ready to swoop for Trezeguet in January as they look to find a replacement for the injured Ruud van Nistelrooy.

Real are said to have already put a contract offer for Inter's Hernan Crespo on the table, but Trezeguet could be their reserve option.

Ferguson undecided about Berbatov recall

Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson will make a late decision on whether to recall striker Dimitar Berbatov after a two-match absence due to a hamstring injury for Sunday's derby at Manchester City.

"With hamstrings (you've) got to be careful," Ferguson told reporters yesterday.

"He's never had a hamstring injury before and we'll have to judge whether it's wise to use him on Sunday or put him on the bench."

Goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar will play on Sunday after being rested for the Champions League draw at Villarreal.

Kaka ponders England

Milan playmaker Kaka said he was not ruling out a future move to the Premier League after talking to Brazil team-mates Robinho and Elano about their experiences at his suitors Manchester City.

"Now I think it's the best championship in the world so one day maybe, I don't know when, but it would be great to play in Premier League," the reigning FIFA World Player of the Year told Sky ahead of yesterday's UEFA Cup match at Portsmouth.

"I have a lot of friends who are playing there so I am watching some games.

"I speak with Robinho sometimes about Manchester City."

"If one day I have to leave Milan it will be because my objectives are not the same as Milan's," the Brazilian stalwart added.

"Now I think we are on the same road, so it is very difficult to leave."

UEFA to probe Gerrard incident

UEFA will make a decision today on what action to take following the missile-throwing incident involving Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard at Anfield on Wednesday night.

Gerrard appeared to be hit by objects thrown from the Marseille fans' section as he waited to take a corner in the first half of Liverpool's 1-0 victory.

UEFA confirmed the incident will be included in Portuguese referee Olegario Benquerenca's report as well as the report from UEFA delegate Svein Johannessen.

"We will have to view the reports of the referee and the UEFA delegate before we can make a decision," a spokesman said.

Heinze joins Real's injury list

Argentina defender Gabriel Heinze is the latest addition to Real Madrid's lengthy injury list after damaging a left thigh muscle during the 1-0 win away to BATE Borisov in the Champions League on Tuesday.

Heinze will be out of action for around three weeks, the Spanish champions said on their website (www.realmadrid.com).