Ba: Newcastle boss Alan Pardew admits in-form striker Demba Ba could be a doubt for next weekend’s Premier League trip to Anfield after limping out of Sunday’s late win over West Brom. Pardew revealed a suspected shin injury had caused Ba to be replaced by Sammy Ameobi in the 72nd minute. “Demba appears to have a bit of a nerve problem. It is not a major concern but the major question is whether he can make next week,” Pardew said.

PAOK appeal: PAOK Salonika have failed in their appeal against UEFA sanctions, including a suspended ban from European competition, stemming from August’s Europa League tie against Rapid Vienna. PAOK were ordered to play their next three UEFA competition home matches behind closed doors and fined €150,000 after being charged over the conduct of fans and insufficient organisation at the play-off first leg on August 23.

Rennes: Yann Mvila and Chris Mavinga have resumed training with the first team squad of Ligue 1 side Rennes, 10 days after the players were dropped for breaching a curfew while on France duty. The Breton side said that the pairwere back in contention for places.

Badstuber: Bayern Munich defender Holger Badstuber will be out for at least two weeks after tearing a thigh muscle in Sunday’s 2-1 defeat by Bayer Leverkusen. Badstuber is certain to miss tomorrow’s German Cup second round tie against Kaiserslautern.

In Uruguay: A 3-3 draw between Wanderers and Juventud in the Uruguayan first division ended in chaos as the referee brandished 16 more red cards when fighting broke out after the final whistle. Tempers became frayed when Wanderers believed they should have been awarded a penalty for a foul on Gaston Rodriguez near the end of Sunday’s encounter in Montevideo.

The Championship: Sheffield United vs Portsmouth 1-0.

Prima Divisione: Cremonese vs Reggiana 0-0.