Ballack: Germany midfielder Michael Ballack, who missed the World Cup because of an ankle injury, is not fit enough to play in next month's friendly against Denmark, his Bayer Leverkusen coach said yesterday. "The match against Denmark is too soon for him. There's no point in thinking about it," Heynckes told Bild.
Bolton: Bolton have signed teenage left-back Marcos Alonso from Real Madrid for an undisclosed fee, the Premier League club confirmed yesterday. The 19-year-old has agreed a three-year deal and becomes the club's third summer signing following the arrivals of Martin Petrov and Robbie Blake.
Bobic: Fredi Bobic has been named Stuttgart's new director of sport following Horst Heldt's acrimonious departure for Bundesliga rivals Schalke earlier this month. The 38-year-old returns to the club where he enjoyed the most successful spell of his playing career, Stuttgart announced on their website.
Henrique: Barcelona have agreed to loan Brazilian defender Henrique to Racing Santander for another season.The 23-year-old moved to the Nou Camp from Palmeiras in summer 2008 and was immediately loaned out to Bundesliga club Bayer Leverkusen before returning to Spain last season for a year-long loan at Racing.
Brunt: West Bromwich Albion winger Chris Brunt confirmed yesterday he has signed a new three-year contract with the Premier League newcomers which will keep him at the club until the summer of 2013. The 25-year-old Northern Ireland international becomes the third Baggies player in the past week to commit their long-term future to the club after Graham Dorrans and Youssouf Mulumbu.
Ajax: Martin Jol is to make a double move to strengthen his Ajax attack, agreeing deals to bring in Mounir El Hamdaoui and Mido. El Hamdaoui will join from AZ Alkmaar in a deal that was due to be officially announced by the club yesterday, while Mido will return to Amsterdam seven years after leaving the club in acrimonious circumstances.
Friendlies: Malmo vs Fulham 0-0; Neusiedl vs Arsenal 0-4; Roma vs Al-Sadd 2-1; Derby vs Stoke 1-0; Walsall vs Aston Villa 1-2.
Europa League: CSKA Sofia vs Cliftonville 3-0.
Cycling: Spanish rider Ruben Lobato has been banned for two years for doping by his national federation based on irregular readings on his biological passport, the International Cycling Union (UCI) said yesterday. Lobato was one of the first five riders to be charged with doping based on biological passport readings in June 2009 along with compatriots Igor Astarloa and Riccardo Serrano, and Italians Pietro Caucchioli and Francesco de Bonis.
Basket, NBA: New Orleans Hornets guard Chris Paul is excited about the NBA club's potential and said after a meeting with team officials that he wants to stay with the team. Paul had been reportedly set to ask about a possible move in the wake of seeing good friend LeBron James leave Cleveland for Miami, but changed his mind after talks with key officials.
Rugby Union: Australian half-backs Michael Bond and Dane Haylett-Petty have signed for Biarritz Olympique, the French Top 14 rugby club confirmed yesterday. The pair, who were monitored last month by Biarritz's Australian coach Jack Isaac, were expected to join their team-mates at last season's European Cup runners-up yesterday evening.