Football news

Everton chief executive Robert Elstone has confirmed the club are in talks to bring Los Angeles Galaxy striker Landon Donovan to Goodison Park on a short-term loan.

Major League Soccer's season has finished and any deal to secure Donovan would be similar to the one which has seen Galaxy team-mate David Beckham rejoin Milan next month.

"Landon is a player David Moyes has identified as someone he would like to bring to the club," chief executive Robert Elstone said.

"We hope we can reach agreement soon with all the appropriate parties."

Messi a doubt for Espanyol derby

Barcelona have revealed Lionel Messi is a doubt for tomorrow's derby against Espanyol. The Argentina forward suffered a sprained ankle late in Wednesday's Champions League win over Dynamo Kiev following a fierce tackle from Leandro Almeida.

Moments earlier, Messi had sealed Barcelona's 2-1 win with a superb free-kick four minutes from time.

"The resulting sprain means he may well miss this weekend's match, with just three days to recover," Barcelona said on Wednesday night.

"His availability depends on the club medical services."

Inter monitoring Toni situation

Inter are prepared to offer a deal to Bayern Munich striker Luca Toni in January but only if he resolves his contract situation with the German giants.

Toni is looking to leave Bayern during the January transfer window after falling out with coach Louis van Gaal. The former Fiorentina forward is keen to return to Italy but the problem lies with his contract, which expires in June 2011.

The existing deal with the Bundesliga team entitles him to just over £10m, a figure which is proving to be a stumbling block for the clubs interested in signing him, namely Inter, Roma and Napoli.

According to reports, Inter would be willing to sign Toni if he can negotiate a suitable pay-off with Bayern.

South Korea to begin preparations

South Korea boss Huh Jung-moo has named a preliminary squad of 35 players for training camps in South Africa and Spain next month as they step up preparations for next summer's World Cup.

The 2002 semi-finalists have been drawn in Group B with Argentina, Nigeria and Greece. The preliminary squad, which will be reduced to 25 or 26 when the team departs on January 4, is made up entirely of players based in South Korea and Japan.

"We haven't confirmed the dates yet but we have requested three matches," Huh told reporters in Seoul. "We want to play three games in South Africa and then go to Spain."

There have been reports South Korea will take on Finland in Malaga on January 18.

Ranieri holds no grudge against Juve

Roma coach Claudio Ranieri has distanced himself from suggestions that he regarded Juventus's elimination from the Champions League on Tuesday night as sweet revenge.

The Bianconeri lost 4-1 to Bayern Munich, their heaviest home defeat since 1967, and now could come up against Roma in the Europa League.

Juventus fired the experienced Ranieri in May after nearly two years in charge and replaced him with rookie coach Ciro Ferrara.

Speaking at an awards ceremony, Ranieri said: "There is no revenge with Juventus in Europe. I am happy here in Rome.

"I don't have anything to get off my chest. I am in Rome, in my city and I lead my team. It couldn't be better."

Mascherano vague over 'Pool future

Javier Mascherano has once again given a somewhat vague response when asked about his future at Liverpool.

The Argentine has 18 months left on his current deal and manager Rafael Benitez this week claimed that talks over a new contract are under way. The player himself though refused to comment on his prospects of staying at Anfield beyond his current contract after Wednesday's Champions League defeat by Fiorentina at Anfield.

"I am playing for Liverpool, I am a Liverpool player and like the manager says I have two more years on my contract and don't have to say anything else," Mascherano told Sky Sports News.

"I play for Liverpool and will continue to do my best."

Essien out for up to four weeks

Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien will be out for three to four weeks after scans revealed a torn hamstring, the Premier League club said on their website.

Essien, 27, was injured in the first half of Tuesday's 2-2 Champions League draw with Cypriot side APOEL Nicosia a few minutes after scoring Chelsea's first goal.

The Ghana international missed most of last season after rupturing knee ligaments but has been a key member of Carlo Ancelotti's team this term.

Chelsea expect Essien to be fit to play within four weeks, meaning he may not return to the side before the start of the African Cup on January 10.