Football news

Rio Ferdinand will need to prove his fitness for next week's Champions League final by playing in Manchester United's Premier League game at Hull City on Sunday.

The central defender is struggling to recover from a calf injury that has sidelined him for the last three games and manager Alex Ferguson said time was running out for him to prove his fitness for Wednesday's clash with Barcelona in Rome.

"I am hoping Rio will be fit for Sunday," Ferguson said.

"If not then he's doubtful for Wednesday. I think he needs a game. To go into a Champions League final without playing for three weeks might be a bit much."

United are expected to field a weakened side for their final league game of the season at Hull.

Bulgarian Petrov commits to Villa

Stiliyan Petrov, the Bulgaria midfielder who has been one of Aston Villa's outstanding performers this season, has committed his long-term future to the club by signing a new four-year contract.

The new deal will keep the former Celtic star at Villa until 2013 and ends speculation that he could leave if England international Gareth Barry gets the move to Liverpool that he wanted last year.

Petrov, 29, was manager Martin O'Neill's first signing at Villa in 2006.

"It is only just a year ago that people were concerning themselves about whether Stiliyan had a future here," O'Neill said.

"But he has battled back so much so that I'd like him to be around here for the next few years."

Real's Mijatovic steps down

Real Madrid sporting director Predrag Mijatovic has reached an agreement with the Primera Liga club to end his contract a year early, Real said on their website (www.realmadrid.com) yesterday.

Former Real player and Yugoslavia international Mijatovic had been widely expected to leave since the departure of president Ramon Calderon in a vote-rigging scandal in January and amid criticism he had failed to sign top quality players.

Mijatovic said in a separate statement on the website it was the right time to go with elections for a new president coming up on June 14 and added that two league titles and a Spanish Super Cup in three years were a positive legacy.

W. Ham, Spurs and Hull for Beijing

Tottenham Hotspur, West Ham and Hull City will contest the Premier League Asia Trophy in Beijing from July 29 to August 1, according to Chinese state media.

The three English Premier League clubs will play Chinese Super League side Beijing Guoan in the fourth version of the biennial tournament at the Workers Stadium.

Hull, however, are still embroiled in the battle against relegation and a Premier League spokesman told Reuters late last week they were not yet ready to release details of the clubs or venue.

Chelsea, who have developed strong links with China over the last few years, were reported to have been invited to take part but have decided to tour North America instead.

Cannavaro expecting difficult time

Fabio Cannavaro does not expect Juventus fans to welcome him back with open arms next season.

The central defender has signed a one-year deal to return to Juve after leaving the Serie A side for Real Madrid following their 2006 demotion in a match-fixing scandal.

"It's going to be a bit difficult because the people there are very upset that I left when the club was relegated and I understand them," the 35-year-old Italy captain said.

"But I want them to know that I am coming back with a desire to work and do something great."

Arsenal's Da Silva to undergo surgery

Arsenal's Croatian striker Eduardo Da Silva is to undergo minor surgery on the leg he suffered a horrific break last year.

During the arthroscopy of his left ankle, to be performed in Amsterdam, the 26-year-old Brazilian-born player will have metal screws, implanted after the injury, removed.

It is expected that his recovery will take between four and six weeks meaning he will miss the 2010 World Cup qualifier against Ukraine on June 6 in Zagreb.

Eduardo suffered a compound fracture of the left leg in February last year. After a lengthy rehabilitation he has returned to Arsenal's team a year later. However, since then Eduardo has suffered several minor injuries.

Messi rejects offer from Man. City

Barcelona star Lionel Messi has rejected a multi-million-euro offer to move to big-spending Manchester City, a Spanish newspaper reported.

Representatives from the English club, owned by the Abu Dhabi United Group, offered to buy out the striker's contract for 150 million euros and pay him 10 million euros per season over four years, Marca said. It added Messi, 21, who has always insisted he wants to stay at Barca, immediately rejected the offer.

Another Spanish sports newspaper, AS, said yesterday that City are also interested in two Atletico Madrid strikers - Sergio Aguero and Diego Forlan - as well as Valencia's David Villa.