Football news

Sunderland and Scotland goalkeeper Craig Gordon has broken his arm in training, his club have confirmed.

In a statement on their website, Sunderland announced Gordon fractured a bone in his arm and underwent an operation to repair the damage yesterday.

Sunderland have not said how long he will be out for but he will miss the start of the new campaign.

"He is set to miss the start of the season as he undergoes rehab on the damaged arm," said the statement.

Petrov urges Villa to sign McGeady

Stiliyan Petrov has urged Aston Villa to sign his former Celtic team-mate Aiden McGeady.

Villa could step up their bid to capture the winger now that Bhoys manager Neil Lennon has admitted McGeady wants to leave Parkhead.

Petrov believes McGeady could become a "special player" for Villa.

"We have special players here at Villa already like Stewart Downing, Ashley Young and Gabriel Agbonlahor - and Aiden would come into that category," Petrov said.

"They are the sort of players who can make something happen out of nothing so we would be happy if Aiden came to Villa.

"I think he has developed a lot as a player in the last couple of seasons."

Downing critical of Capello

Stewart Downing has hit out at England manager Fabio Capello for leaving him out of his World Cup squad without explanation.

Downing, who did not even make Capello's initial 30-man squad, told The Sun: "A lot of people who had not played were in the squad as were people out of form - but others were left out.

"It was a little strange and I was very disappointed as I thought, maybe, I had a chance to get in the 30 at least. He obviously has his reasons why but the disappointing thing was I didn't get told why I wasn't in the squad.

"That's his choice and there's no point in moaning about it now."

City table Balotelli offer - report

Manchester City have presented a formal offer in the region of €30m for Inter striker Mario Balotelli, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport.

Representatives from City apparently met Inter officials at the club's offices in Milan. They then reportedly had lunch with Balotelli's agent Mino Raiola. Earlier this week, Inter president Massimo Moratti admitted that they received several offers for Balotelli.

An Inter source said: "Yes, we have received representatives from Manchester City in our offices.

"We are talking about a calm and cordial exchange on the eventual transfer of Mario Balotelli at the end of which the offer presented, close to €25m, was not considered adequate.

"That doesn't mean the deal can't be revived in the future."

No approach for Forlan - Atletico

Atletico Madrid have dismissed rumours linking Diego Forlan with a move away from the club.

Reports in Italy claim Juventus are keen to acquire the services of the 31-year-old forward should they fail in their bid to land Wolfsburg striker Edin Dzeko this summer.

Forlan, who won the Golden Ball award for the best player at the World Cup after inspiring Uruguay to a fourth-place finish, is under contract with the Primera Division outfit until June 2013.

"We don't know anything about any club," Atletico president Enrique Cerezo told AS.

"No one called us to ask for Forlan. That is why we are calm."

Juventus linked with Drenthe

Real Madrid's Royston Drenthe is the subject of interest from Juventus as coach Luigi del Neri intensifies his search for a player who can strengthen his options at left-back.

Del Neri has admitted that his squad needed strengthening in four areas, one of which was at the left-back position.

Juventus want Paolo De Ceglie to have competition for his place on the left-hand side as Fabio Grosso looks set to leave.

Del Neri is keen to bring in Reto Ziegler from Sampdoria but the two clubs don't enjoy a very good relationship.

La Gazzetta dello Sport reported that Juventus' general manager Beppe Marotta is trying to sign Drenthe on loan until the end of next season.

Fulham home in on next boss

Fulham are set to step up the search for their new manager - with Ajax boss Martin Jol and Sven-Goran Eriksson reportedly now heading the club's shortlist.

Over two weeks have passed since Roy Hodgson left Craven Cottage to take charge of Liverpool and the club would like to install his replacement before the team begin their training camp in Sweden on Monday.

Two of the original favourites for the job - Switzerland coach Ottmar Hitzfeld and the USA's Bob Bradley - both now seem unlikely to take up the post.

Former Bayern Munich manager Hitzfeld ruled himself out of the race while the United States Soccer Federation want Bradley to extend his current contract as US manager.