Sporting briefs

Bender: Borussia Dortmund will have to do without defensive midfield international Sven Bender for tomorrow’s trip to Hanover after he picked up a hip injury against Arsenal in the Champions League draw on Tuesday. The club doctor said it was hoped Bender would be back for the following week’s match against Mainz.

Bayern Munich: German league leaders Bayern Munich are waiting on the fitness of striker Mario Gomez and defender Daniel van Buyten for tomorrow’s match at Schalke 04. Gomez came off with a groin strain at half-time of Bayern’s 2-0 win at Villarreal in the Champions League on Wednesday. Van Buyten limped out after complaining of pain in his Achilles tendon.

Wiese: Werder Bremen’s Germany goalkeeper Tim Wiese has said he would like to play in a foreign league when his contract expires next year with the German league club. The 29-year-old, who has made five appearances for Germany, is out of contract with Bremen after next June’s Euro 2012. “I’m only 29 years old and another league would appeal to me if things don’t work out at Werder,” he said.

Friendly: Argentina and Brazil played out a lacklustre goalless draw in the first leg of the Superclasico de las Americas on Wednesday night. Brazil’s three-pronged strike force of Ronaldinho, Neymar and Damiao failed to live up to expectations, while hosts Argentina could not break through. The return leg takes place on September 28.

Swansea: Swansea expressed dismay yesterday after FIFA denied international clearance for transfer signings Darnel Situ and Rafik Halliche. Situ agreed a £250,000 move from Lens on transfer deadline day while Fulham defender Halliche was also signed on a loan deal. However, neither player has started for Swansea yet as they awaited clearance from FIFA, which has now been denied after delays in processing the transfers.

Nsereko: Police have moved to calm fears for Ugandan-born midfielder Savio Nsereko, who has been missing for a week. After his club Juve Stabia in the Italian Serie B confirmed yesterday he had not been seen for a week, police claimed they were sure he has left the country. Nsereko disappeared after playing just one match for his new club.