Football news

West Brom have rejected Hungary’s request for injured midfielder Zoltan Gera to link up with them for next week’s Euro 2012 qualifiers.

Gera joined the Baggies for a second spell in the summer from Fulham but has still to taste any action because of the ankle setback which required surgery in summer.

Albion boss Roy Hodgson said: “Zoltan can’t go to Hungary. He hasn’t kicked a ball since joining us.

“I believe that they have made a request but it’s totally out of the question. Zoltan is about as far away from playing a game for Hungary as I am.”

Guidolin insists on youth plans

Udinese’s plan to compete in the Europa League with youngsters is paying dividends and coach Fran-cesco Guidolin insists the club’s policy will not change.

On Thursday, the Italians drew 1-1 at Celtic to go level on four points with Atletico Madrid at the top of Group I.

Guidolin said: “I knew that criticism would have arrived before and especially after the game in case of defeat. But we will play the Europa League like this because this is our project.

“We are proud to be able to take to a prestigious stadium young players that have to grow and the result in Scotland has confirmed it was the right decision.”

Carlos: Capello on Anzhi radar

Interim Anzhi Makhachkala coach Roberto Carlos is hoping the club can attract a high-profile successor to Gadzhi Gadzhiev and claims Fabio Capello is on the short-list.

Anzhi sacked Gadzhiev this week with the club seventh in the Russian Premier League with five games remaining. The Dagestan-based club are bankrolled by billionaire Sulieman Kerimov and Roberto Carlos believes a big name will be targeted to fill the hot seat.

The 38-year-old said: “I am having dinner with the president and we’ll speak about signings for next season. In terms of coaches, there are several names, such as Capello, Hiddink, Luxemburgo and Scolari.”

Scholes shows sympathy for Tevez

Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes has backed Carlos Tevez over his apparent refusal to warm up during the Champions League defeat by Bayern Munich.

Scholes has expressed sympathy for former team-mate Tevez after admitting he went through a similar experience at United.

“I know Carlos quite well. He’s a player who wants to be playing,” Scholes said.

“When he’s a sub, it will be killing him. It’s totally up to the manager but Carlos wouldn’t have been thinking that. He’ll be thinking, ‘The manager is against me, why is he not bringing me on? I’m City’s best player and he’s not playing me’.

“I’m not saying he is right – it’s totally up to the manager.”

Barbara makes NASL Best XI

Etienne Barbara con-tinued to enhance his already good reputation in the North American Soccer League (NASL) when he was voted among the championship’s top players in a poll conducted by the team coaches earlier this week.

The former Malta striker has just had an outstanding regular season with Carolina RailHawks, scoring crucial goals in the team’s surge to the top of the standings and an automatic place in the play-offs semi-finals which will be played on October 8 and 15.

This is Barbara’s second season with the RailHawks. He topped the charts with 20 goals to get the 2011 Golden Boot and was twice voted Player of the Month – in April and May.

The NASL is considered as the second tier in the US behind the Major League Soccer.

Mancini receives apology from Dzeko

Manchester City striker Edin Dzeko has apologised to manager Roberto Mancini for his petulant response to being substituted in Tuesday’s defeat at Bayern Munich.

The Bosnian was furious when he was replaced by Nigel de Jong after 56 minutes, a decision which also sparked Carlos Tevez’s later refusal to go onto the Allianz Arena pitch, the Argentine believing he should have replaced Dzeko.

“I know my reaction (to being taken off) was bad and I have spoken to the coach. I have apologised and Roberto has accepted it and said that everything is ok and that we have to be positive for the next game,” Dzeko said.

Pardew hopes for Coloccini deal

Newcastle boss Alan Pardew is hoping Jonas Gutierrez’s decision to sign a new long-term contract will persuade skipper Fabricio Coloccini to do the same.

The 28-year-old Argentine midfielder put pen to paper on a four-year deal and Pardew is keeping his fingers crossed that compatriot Coloccini will follow suit.

Pardew said: “Of course, Colo is on the agenda, there is no doubt about that. He’s had a terrific start as captain.

“We have a different look to the team and he is part of that.

“Securing Jonas will only help in the process of trying to secure Coloccini.”