Football news

Roma doctor Pier Paolo Mariani said Francesco Totti does not need another operation in his knee, quashing rumours that the captain could be out for several weeks.

Totti, 33, has been restricted to just 14 Serie A starts this season and won't be available for this weekend's match against Palermo.

"I don't see anything to be alarmed about. The condition of Totti's knee is good," Mariani said.

"He had some bruising between the kneecap and the quadriceps. In the last check-up, I have seen stud marks on his knee but there is nothing strange. From a clinical point of view there isn't a problem that can create alarm."

Chester suspended from Conference

Chester City have been suspended from the Football Conference for seven days after failing to fulfil two of their fixtures.

The club were unable to field a team for Tuesday's clash at Forest Green after unpaid players refused to get on the team bus.

They were also forced to postpone tomorrow's derby clash with Wrexham because the local authority issued a prohibition notice on the Deva Stadium after police refused to man the game over an unpaid bill.

Chester were handed a 25-point penalty after falling into administration last summer.

Moyes backs Baines for England

Everton manager David Moyes has backed left-back Leighton Baines's claims for a place in England's World Cup squad.

The 25-year-old, who twice featured in Fabio Capello's squad last year, could force his way into the reckoning following injury to first-choice Ashley Cole.

Moyes, speaking before Cole's injury, said: "I think the England left-backs will be Ashley Cole and Wayne Bridge and then I think it is toss-up between Stephen Warnock and Leighton Baines.

"I think Baines on his day is a match for any of them and I know Fabio Capello knows about him. He is certainly in and around the reckoning."

Stomach bug threatens Bayern

Bayern Munich coach Louis van Gaal is worried that a stomach bug could ruin his team's push for silverware.

Bayern came from behind to beat second division side Greuther Furth to reach the semi-finals of the DFB-Pokal in midweek, but as Van Gaal reported afterwards, a mystery virus appears to be doing the rounds.

"We have a virus in the dressing room," he revealed.

"That is bad for us. Many players are already ill and we expect more to fall ill in the coming weeks."

Ivica Olic, Daniel van Buyten and Danijel Pranjic all missed the cup victory having contracted a stomach bug while Andreas Gorlitz and Miroslav Klose are showing symptoms.

Poll warns female ref of tough road

Amy Fearn who this week made history by becoming the first woman to referee an English league match, has set her sights on taking charge of matches in the Premier League.

But she has been warned that prejudices will make her path to the top flight a tough one. Graham Poll, formerly England's top referee, believes Fearn will need a thick skin if she is to make it.

"Prejudices remain in football," Poll said.

"When Wendy Toms ran the line in the 90s, I remember one Liverpool player asking me: 'what's a bird doing on the line? She should be at home, cooking'."

Poll added: "Even though I have been verbally abused all over the country, I cannot imagine how tough it must be for a woman to referee a Championship match in front of more than 18,000 fans."

Eriksson steps down at Notts County

Sven-Goran Eriksson has resigned as Notts County's director of football following the League Two club's takeover by former Lincoln chairman Ray Trew.

"He (Eriksson) has agreed to stay on as joint life president which is a less hands-on role but it gives people an idea of how honourable Sven has been to deal with," the club's new chief executive Jim Rodwell said.

Rodwell said Eriksson's post would not be filled in the short to medium term.

Eriksson unexpectedly moved to Meadow Lane last year with the club's former owners aiming to take England's oldest team back to the top flight after years in the doldrums.

Glasgow warning for Celtic's Keane

Celtic's Darren O'Dea has warned new team-mate Robbie Keane of the dangers of going out in Glasgow after a man reportedly threatened to kneecap the defender.

O'Dea became involved in a row with a man who accused him of chatting up his girlfriend while the player was celebrating his 23rd birthday last week.

He feels that Keane, who has joined Celtic on loan from Tottenham, could face similar problems if he is not careful.

"It's disappointing, but it's one of those things," said O'Dea.

"It's part and parcel of living in Glasgow. Other players get targeted by people and that's what it's like. That's the problem when you only have two big clubs like Celtic and Rangers in one city."