Football news

Uruguayan midfielder Luis Aguiar, who arrived at Sporting Lisbon at the beginning of the season, has suspended his contract with the club until next June.

The club said in a statement that Aguiar’s wife’s complicated pregnancy was behind his decision, and the 25-year-old would play in Uruguay from January 2012.

Aguiar signed a four-year contract with Sporting from Uruguayan club Penarol, but has not played this season because of injury.

The former Porto player will return to Portugal next season.

Saudi prince eyes Panathinaikos

Saudi Prince Sultan bin Naser Al-Farhan Al-Saud is seeking to buy a majority stake in financially-troubled Panathinaikos, a representative of the prince said.

Vlassis Tsakas told an Athens radio that the prince will be going to Greece next week to close the deal. Tsakas released a letter to the press from the 26-year-old prince, owner of one of the biggest construction firms in Saudi Arabia, stating his interest in a 54.7 per cent stake in Panathinaikos.

The proposal by the Saudi prince calls for an investment of €220 million in Panathinaikos, including a €150m project for the construction of a new 48,000-seat stadium for the club to be completed by the prince’s own company.

Huddlestone facing ankle operation

Tottenham midfielder Tom Huddlestone will undergo an ankle operation on Monday, manager Harry Redknapp has confirmed.

The 24-year-old has made four appearances for Spurs this season, the most recent of which came as a second-half substitute in the 5-1 home defeat against Manchester City on August 28.

Redknapp said: “He needs another operation. He’s already had one but there is still a problem with him. It’s a blow. He will be out for a while.”

Huddlestone has established himself as a key figure in the Spurs set-up in recent years following his move to White Hart Lane from Derby in July 2005.

Lampard furore irks Villas-Boas

Andre Villas-Boas has insisted he cannot understand how Frank Lampard’s reduced role at Chelsea has sparked speculation about the midfielder’s future.

Lampard started three of the last four matches – before last night’s Champions League match against Valencia – on the bench and was substituted in the other, giving further ammunition to those who believe the 33-year-old’s powers are on the wane.

But Blues boss Villas-Boas does not see why there should be such a furore about the midfielder’s lack of recent match action.

“It’s 26 players competing for 11 starts, so what is the dramatic thing?” Villas-Boas said.

“What is the dramatic thing about choices?”

Karanka leads Kaka praise

Real Madrid assistant coach Aitor Karanka hailed the form of Kaka after the rejuvenated Brazilian scored one goal and set up two more in Tuesday’s 3-0 Champions League win over Ajax.

The former Milan playmaker was at his sparkling best at the Bernabeu as Jose Mourinho’s side eased to the three points against the Dutch champions.

“Kaka has, frankly, had a rough time,” Karanka told www.realmadrid.com.

“He is a quality player and it is very important for us to see him happy and enjoying himself because it means he will be an essential player on this team.

“He is the first one who deserves to be fit. The rest of us simply have to stand by him and support him.”

Gutierrez deal delights Pardew

Newcastle manager Alan Pardew was a happy man after tying up a deal to keep Jonas Gutierrez at St James’ Park.

The 28-year-old Argentina international, who had two years of his existing contract still to run, has put pen to paper on a four-year deal which will keep him on Tyneside until 2015.

The manager said: “Jonas is an integral part of the future of Newcastle United and we are delighted to have signed a new contract with him.

“As a seasoned international player, he adds a different dimension to our play when he is on the field and is a huge asset to us. Jonas can turn a game in an instant, he has marvellous ball skills, a terrific work-rate and in my time here, has hardly missed a game.”

Nagatomo hails Ranieri’s impact

Yuto Nagatomo has hailed Claudio Ranieri’s positive impact on Inter, describing his new mentor as “a good man and a great coach”.

The Nerazzurri have won both their games since Ranieri took charge of the team following the sacking of Gian Piero Gasperini, beating Bologna 3-1 and CSKA Moscow 3-2.

“He’s a good man and a great coach. I like him a lot. We all like him a lot,” the Japanese international said.

“We played well in Moscow and are improving. It was important to win this game and we did it, so that’s fine.”

Inter are now second in Group B on three points behind surprising Trabzonspor with four.