Sporting briefs

Kapinos: Greece coach Fernando Santos surprisingly called up for the first time 17-year-old Panathinaikos goalkeeper Stefanos Kapinos for upcoming friendly matches with Russia at home (Nov. 11) and Romania away (Nov. 15). “I have seen him in three matches and was very impressed. I want to see him up close and let him gain experience with the national team,” Santos said.

Obertan: Gabriel Obertan will miss Newcastle’s home clash with Everton today through illness. The former Man. United winger is sidelined by an infection and is likely to be replaced by Sylvain Marveaux as the Magpies attempt to maintain their unbeaten start to the Premier League campaign.

Hearts: Hearts’ players have opted to delay making a formal complaint to the Scottish Premier League over their unpaid wages following discussions with manager Paulo Sergio. Senior squad members at the club are still waiting for their wages, which were due on October 16, and are yet to be given a date when they can expect to receive their monthly income.

Wilson: Celtic expect Mark Wilson to be sidelined for up to three months following knee surgery. The defender underwent an arthro-scopy yesterday in a bid to cure a problem with his right knee. The Hoops had feared his season was over but hope to have him back in action around February.

Clark: Huddersfield manager Lee Clark has moved to end speculation linking him with the vacancy at Leicester by committing himself to his current club. Clark, who had been reported to have met with Leicester officials this week, emerged as the favourite to replace Sven-Goran Eriksson but remains focused on leading Huddersfield to promotion from League One.

Scapuzzi: Oldham have secured the loan signings of Luca Scapuzzi and Andrea Mancini from Man. City. Scapuzzi made his full debut for the City at Wolves in the League Cup last week and impressed in a 5-2 win. The 19-year-old Mancini – son of City boss Roberto – moves to Oldham until December 3.

MFA DIV. II: Mellieħa vs Gudja 1-1.