Football news

Gus Poyet was named as the new manager of English lower league strugglers Brighton and Hove Albion yesterday.

The 41-year-old Uruguayan, a former Chelsea and Tottenham midfielder, left Spurs as assistant manager in October 2008.

Poyet has signed a deal with south coast side Brighton, battling to avoid relegation from League One, until the end of next season.

"Gus is one of the best up and coming young coaches in this country," said Brighton chairman Tony Bloom.

"We are delighted to give him his first opportunity in management."

Serbia skipper Stankovic ruled out

Captain Dejan Stankovic is among three players already ruled out of Serbia's upcoming international friendlies against Northern Ireland and South Korea because of injury.

Zeljko Brkic and Ivica Dragutinovic have also been sidelined for the two matches, the Serbian Football Association (FSS) said.

Stankovic injured a hamstring on Sunday while uncapped goalkeeper Zeljko Brkic is suffering from general illness and defender Ivica Dragutinovic has a thigh problem.

"I felt sharp pain in the 70th minute of Inter's match with Roma and the Serbian national team doctors said I have no chance of playing," Stankovic said.

"It's a pity because we were going to experiment in the two friendlies, which is something you can't do in competitive matches."

Baptista to stay at Roma, agent says

Julio Baptista is unlikely to leave Roma during the January transfer window despite limited playing time, according to his agent. The former Arsenal striker has been linked with a move away from the Stadio Olimpico since the summer.

"Those are decisions that have to be made by Roma," said Baptista's agent, Herminio Menendez.

"I don't know if he figures in the project of the club. What I can say is that he is likely to remain at Roma in January and that Julio wants to remain here.

"Will he leave at the end of the season? Anything can happen but there's still time until June."

The Brazil forward scored nine goals in 27 league appearances for the Giallorossi last season.

Czech Smicer hangs up boots

Former Czech international star and Slavia Prague veteran Vladimir Smicer said he was hanging up his boots at the age of 36 after a spate of injury problems.

"I am not able to help Slavia on the field. I can no longer give it 100 per cent," explained Smicer, who won the 2005 Champions League with Liverpool.

"My head and my heart want me to carry on but my body says no," added Smicer ruefully after playing the first half of a goalless draw with Viktoria Pilsen on Monday.

Smicer will now work alongside national team head coach Michael Bilek as manager.

Enke dies after being hit by train

Germany and Hanover 96 goalkeeper Robert Enke has died after being hit by a train.

"First indications point to suicide," a media officer for the Niedersachsen police said.

The German soccer federation said in a statement: "The German team has learnt of the death of Robert Enke with great shock. National team coach Joachim Loew and manager Oliver Bierhoff said 'we are all shocked, we are speechless'."

Enke, 32, who won eight international caps, was in the running to play at the World Cup in South Africa next year. He had been suffering from a mystery ailment recently.

Enke had also played club football for B. M'gladbach, Benfica and Barcelona.

Arsenal's Diaby has fitness concerns

Arsenal midfielder Abou Diaby will stay on with the French squad for their World Cup qualifying play-off matches against Ireland despite his club's fears over a calf strain, French team sources said.

Lyon midfielder Jeremy Toulalan is also retained despite a niggling groin problem.

"The two players have had tests and have been retained - nobody is being called in," the sources said.

Arsenal coach Arsene Wenger had told French television after Diaby picked up the knock in Saturday's win over Wolves that his player faced being on the sidelines for three weeks. The 23-year-old has won two caps to date.

France face Ireland in Dublin on Saturday and then host the return leg at the Stade de France in Paris four days later.

Hughes: Robinho staying at City

Mark Hughes insists Robinho's future still lies with Man. City. The striker is currently out of action with an ankle injury picked up in September. Yet just because he has not been playing, he has still been a major topic of discussion.

Barcelona would appear to be the most likely destination for a player who has never given the impression of being entirely settled since his British record £32.5m move from Real Madrid last year.

"I am quite clear and Robinho should be quite clear that his future is very much with City," said Hughes.

"There is no reason to think that will change any time soon. All those stories do not originate from anyone from City."