Football news

Bayern Munich could be without Turkey midfielder Hamit Altintop for Sunday’s clash with Borussia Dortmund after he picked up a groin strain in side’s 2-1 victory over Basel in the Champions League.

“I have this pain again,” said Altintop, who has suffered with groin problems before.

“I hope that I will be fit (to face Dortmund).”

With just eight points from sixth games, Bayern are ninth in the German league and need a win at second-placed Dortmund to get their league campaign back on track after losing 2-1 to leaders Mainz last Saturday.

Ferguson optimistic over Rooney

Alex Ferguson is crossing his fingers that Wayne Rooney can keep his Manchester United absence down to a minimum.

Rooney famously returned within eight days from the ankle damage he suffered in the first leg of last season’s Champions League quarter-final with Bayern Munich.

The sharpshooter has scored just once for United since, and he will not have the chance to do so again until at least October 16 after Ferguson confirmed Rooney faces a “two to three week” spell on the sidelines with the injury he suffered at Bolton on Sunday.

“Wayne has done quite well with his recovery from injury in the past,” the United boss said.

“It is a straightforward ankle injury. And it is not the same one he did in Munich.”

Sutton quits Lincoln post

Chris Sutton has quit as Lincoln manager after just a year in charge.

The former Blackburn and Chelsea striker and his assistant, ex-West Ham defender Ian Pearce, have left the League Two club for personal reasons.

The Imps sit in 20th place in the table after a disappointing start to the season, having picked up only two wins from nine games.

Sutton, who replaced Peter Jackson as manager, won 14 of his 51 games with Lincoln.

His last match in charge was Tuesday’s goalless draw with Burton Albion.

De Gea to stay at Atletico Madrid

Atletico Madrid goalkeeper David de Gea, reportedly a target of Manchester United, said he intends to stay at the Spanish club until 2013.

“What is important is that I have a contract here and that I’m an Atletico player until 2013,” he told Spain’s Radio Marca.

Another sports newspaper, AS, reported that Manchester United coach Alex Ferguson travelled to Spain last week to watch 19-year-old De Gea when Atletico played Valencia in a league match, accompanied by the club’s goalkeeping coach, Eric Steele.

British press reports have said the English champions are on the lookout for a successor to Dutchman Edwin van der Sar, who turns 40 next month.

Chiellini close to new Juve deal

Giorgio Chiellini is set to sign a two-year contract extension with Juventus in the next few weeks, the Turin club confirmed.

The Italy international’s current deal expires in June 2012 and Real Madrid were among the top European clubs keen to acquire Chiellini’s services this summer.

A statement from the club read: “The club executives met with Giorgio Chiellini.

“The two sides are very close to reaching an agreement for a contract renewal.

“The details of the deal will be revealed in a few weeks’ time.”

The 26-year-old centre-back has been a regular since joining the Bianconeri in the summer of 2005 from Fiorentina.

Mancini tried to sign Krasic

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini tried to acquire Juventus winger Milos Krasic this summer.

The Serbia international, who joined Juventus from CSKA Moscow in August, scored a hat-trick in Juve’s 4-2 victory over Cagliari at the weekend.

Speaking ahead of Man. City’s Europa League clash with Juventus this evening, Mancini said: “He’s a player I have always followed.

“I tried to sign him when I was Inter coach and I tried again when I arrived at City,” he concluded.

Krasic has made no secret of the fact that he rejected offers from both City and Fenerbahce to sign for Juve.

Arrests made at London derby

Eleven arrests were made following violence at Tuesday night’s Championship game between QPR and Millwall.

Trouble flared between rival fans in the areas surrounding QPR’s Loftus Road ground in Shepherd’s Bush, west London, before and after the derby match.

Police have confirmed the arrests were made for offences including possession of an offensive weapon, assault on police, affray and common assault.

However, a spokesman said they had no knowledge of reports claiming one supporter was stabbed. The match, between leaders QPR and newly-promoted Millwall, ended in a goalless draw.