Sporting briefs

Eusebio: Portuguese football legend Eusebio has been re-admitted to hospital for severe neck pain just days after being released from a two-week stay. The 69-year-old Mozambique-born superstar, who won the Ballon d’Or in 1965 and inspired Portugal to third place in the 1966 World Cup, had spent two weeks in hospital last month suffering from pneumonia.

Barton: The FA has dismissed an appeal by QPR captain Joey Barton seeking to overturn his controversial red card against Norwich. Barton was given his marching orders in Monday’s 2-1 defeat at Loftus Road following a tussle with Norwich’s Bradley Johnson.

Reus: Rising star Marco Reus will join Borussia Dortmund for €17.5 million this summer, his current club Borussia Moenchengladbach said. The 22-year-old attacking midfielder is Moenchengladbach’s top scorer, with 10 goals in 15 matches in the Bundesliga.

Goossens: Swansea City transfer target John Goossens has turned down a move to the Liberty Stadium and will stay with NEC Nijmegen for the rest of the season. The Dutch midfielder’s contract expires in the summer and he is not expected to sign a new one, but will now stay put until his deal expires.

Pompey: Portsmouth are close to announcing new owners, according to administrator Andrew Andronikou. “We are in the final stages of agreeing terms with one particular party. I’m hoping that in the next seven to 10 days I will have some news for the outside world,” he said.

Fan dies: Tottenham have confirmed that an 81-year-old fan died after suffering a heart attack at Tuesday night’s match with West Brom. The supporter suffered a cardiac arrest at the Premier League match and was transferred to hospital after being treated by medics inside White Hart Lane.

Hlousek: Czech international midfielder Adam Hlousek has signed a three-year deal with Bundesliga outfit Nuremberg. The 23-year-old Hlousek signed from Slavia Prague but is not a newcomer to the German league having played 13 matches for Kaiserslautern on loan last year.

Mannone: Arsenal keeper Vito Mannone has joined Hull on loan until the end of the season. The 23-year-old Italian, who played 10 games on loan with the Championship club last season, has found first team opportunities hard to come by with Arsenal. Mannone has made just one appearance for Arsenal this season.

King’s Cup: Last 16, first leg – R. Sociedad vs Mallorca 2-0.