Sporting briefs

Cagliari: Cagliari got the go-ahead to play their next Serie A match at their home ground in Is Arenas next month following security upgrades. The new sta-dium failed several security checks and also had matches called off this season. However, Cagliari confirmed yesterday that their next home match against Genoa, on January 13, will now be staged at the Is Arenas.

Blackburn: Blackburn Rovers global advisor Shebby Singh has revealed he is in discussions with some experienced candidates to fill the managerial vacancy at Ewood Park. On Thursday, Singh sacked Henning Berg only 57 days and 10 games after appointing the former Rovers crowd favourite. “Most certainly, experience is something that we are looking at,” Singh said. “I am in conversation with a couple of very, very experienced football managers.”

Debuchy: Newcastle United have agreed a deal to sign France international defender Mathieu Debuchy from Lille. Reports said the Magpies have finally reached an agreement with the Ligue 1 side on a six million euros transfer after failing to land the player despite protracted talks during the summer.

Schelotto: Inter’s first signing in the January transfer window could be Atalanta winger Ezequiel Schelotto, according to reports in the Italian media yesterday. Schelotto, 23, will be joining Inter in a loan move with Ricky Alvarez likely to go the other way in the deal. Sampdoria and Genoa are also reported to be hunting for Schelotto who played 15 league matches for Atalanta this season.

Pato: Premier League clubs Chelsea and Liverpool are showing keen interest in signing Alexandre Pato from Milan next month even though the Brazilian striker has already said he wants to return home for the rest of the season. Pato is valued at almost €15m. He wants to leave Milan in a bid to regain his place in the national team ahead of the 2014 World Cup.