Sporting briefs

Nesta: Milan defender Alessandro Nesta may need surgery to cure a persistent back problem that has kept him sidelined so far this season. The 32-year-old has made just one appearance for the Rossoneri since June 16 and that was in a friendly against FK Tirana. Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani will meet with coach Carlo Ancelotti at the team's training camp in Dubai on January 7 to discuss the matter.

Beckham: England midfielder David Beckham has ended his 10-year association with soft drink giant Pepsi. The 33-year-old announced at the weekend that the deal, worth a reputed £2 million a year, will be discontinued at the end of the player's current contract. Beckham has joined Milan on a short-term loan deal from LA Galaxy.

Pazzini: Everton are interested in signing Fiorentina's Giampaolo Pazzini as they look to address their shortage of strikers. The English club lost forwards Yakubu Aiyegbeni and Louis Saha to long-term injuries in December and have scored just 12 goals at Goodison Park all season. Pazzini has rarely featured for Fiorentina this season and is ready to seek a new challenge.

Vargas: Fiorentina left-back Juan Manuel Vargas has said he has no intention of leaving the Serie A for a move to England. Reports suggest Newcastle are interested in signing him and could make a bid in January. "I want to remain with Fiorentina as I still have five years left on my current deal," he said.

Pogatetz: Emanuel Pogatetz is "very confident" of reaching agreement on a new contract at Middlesbrough. The Austrian defender has 18 months remaining on his contract on Teesside and has repeatedly confirmed his wish to stay. Pogatetz told English media talks over a new deal are progressing well, and he is also hoping Boro keep hold of the likes of Stewart Downing and Tuncay Sanli.

Basketball, NBA: Joe Johnson scored a season-high 41 points to lead the surging Atlanta Hawks to a 129-117 victory over the Chicago Bulls on Saturday. Johnson also had eight assists for Atlanta, who claimed their fourth successive win with a sixth home victory in seven games. Josh Smith added a season-best 24 points, seven rebounds and five assists for the Hawks (19-10. Mike Bibby (17 points, seven assists) and Marvin Williams (16 points, eight rebounds) also had key performances for Atlanta.

Baseball: The New York Yankees will roll back ticket prices to 1923 levels for the first two games to be played at their new home, the Major League Baseball team announced. Fans will be able to buy bleacher seats for just 25 cents and grandstand tickets for $1.10 for exhibition games against the Chicago Cubs on April 3 and 4, matching the prices it cost to watch Babe Ruth in the original Yankee Stadium opener on April 18, 1923. It is uncertain how many tickets will be available to the general public.