Sporting briefs

Molinaro: Stuttgart’s Cristian Molinaro has been banned for three matches following his sending-off in the 2-2 draw at Bayer Leverkusen on Saturday. The DFB confirmed the left-back had been banned for “a crude tackle” on Andre Schurrle in the 90th minute of the match.

Huth: Stoke have lost their appeal to the FA against defender Robert Huth’s red card received during Saturday’s home clash with Sunderland and the player must now serve a three-game ban.

Samuel: Walter Samuel was diagnosed with a thigh strain yesterday that could keep him out of action for a couple of weeks. The 33-year-old was forced off during Sunday’s 4-0 capitulation at Roma. However, he is expected to be fit for Inter’s Champions League trip to French side Marseille on Feb. 22.

Friendly: Ireland will face Hungary in their final warm-up game ahead of the Euro 2012 finals. The FA of Ireland yesterday confirmed that the Irish will play a friendly in Budapest on June 4. Ireland will meet the Czech Republic at home on February 29, but begin their preparationswhen Bosnia head for Dublin on May 26.

Michel: Sevilla have named Jose Miguel Gonzalez as their new coach, replacing Marcelino Garcia Toral, who was sacked on Monday. Better-known as Michel, he will be in charge until the end of the year and his contract will be automatically renewed if they qualify for the Champions League.

Danny: Zenit St Petersburg suffered a blow ahead of the Champions League second round clash with Benfica this week as their midfielder Miguel Danny ruptured knee cruciate ligaments. The 28-year-old midfielder suffered the injury during Sunday’s training session.

Sunderland: Sunderland will be without loan signings Wayne Bridge and Sotirios Kyrgiakos for tonight’s FA Cup fourth round replay at M’Boro. The pair did not arrive in time to be registered for the Cup.