Football news

Defender Holger Badstuber’s first-team return for Bayern Munich has been put back after he needed more surgery on his right knee.

“Surgery was necessary to treat an inflammation caused by operation scars,” the club said in a statement, referring to the first time he went under the knife in December.

“His recovery will only be slightly delayed. He can resume his rehabilitation after 10 days.”

Badstuber tore cruciate ligaments in a 1-1 draw against champions Borussia Dortmund at the end of 2012.

QPR wage bill soars

The state of QPR’s finances has been put under the microscope once again after the club’s latest accounts showed their wage bill had doubled to £56 million even before their spending in the last two transfer windows.

Despite a substantial outlay on players since promotion two years ago, the west Londoners find themselves bottom of the Premier League with 10 matches to go.

QPR twice broke their transfer record in January by bringing in Loic Remy and Christopher Samba in a bid to avoid the drop, which led to increased scrutiny over the club’s spending.

While turnover rose from £34.6m to £74m, wages soared from £27.6m to £56m in a season in which QPR only managed to secure survival on the final day.

Celtic discipline tardy Ambrose

Neil Lennon revealed that defender Efe Ambrose was disciplined for being late for training on Wednesday morning ahead of the 2-0 Champions League second-leg defeat by Juventus which saw Celtic exit the last-16 stage 5-0 on aggregate.

The Hoops boss confirmed that the Nigeria international missed the team bus from the hotel and had to catch up by taxi.

In the event, Ambrose replaced the injured Victor Wanyama for the start of the second half.

Lennon was in no mood to expand upon the Ambrose incident, saying: “There was disciplinary action taken against him but it wouldn’t have affected the team selection.”

Fatherhood has changed me – Defoe

Jermain Defoe admits becoming a father has helped him regain his determination to honour the memory of the members of his family who have lost their lives over the last few years.

Defoe’s half-brother Jade was killed in a street attack four years ago, two of his grandparents passed away recently, and his father perished from cancer last summer shortly before his cousin Hannah died in St Lucia.

“It’s amazing. It’s hard to put into words what it feels like,” he said.

“It changes your mentality. Lo-sing people close to you is difficult. But in a way I feel I’m blessed because when you lose people God gives you someone else.”

Juve striker Matri targets Italy recall

Alessandro Matri is hoping that his recent per-formances for Juventus have made an impact on Italy coach Cesare Prandelli.

The Juventus striker has scored three goals in his last six league appearances and was also on target in both legs of the 5-0 aggregate win over Celtic in the Champions League.

“I’d like to get back into the national squad,” Matri said. “I’m an Italian player and I dream of the Nazionale.

“As I’ve always said, I need to do well for Juventus in order to make the squad – that is the only way you get in.”

Matri’s last appearance for the Azzurri came in a 1-0 defeat to US in February 2012.

Alvarez agent talks down Atletico link

Ricky Alvarez’s agent has moved to play down reports linking the Inter forward with a move to Atletico Madrid at the end of the season.

“I really don’t believe that Alvarez will sign for Atletico,” Marcelo Simonian, Alvarez’s agent, was quoted as saying in the Spanish media.

Alvarez has struggled to hold down a regular berth in his second season with Inter, largely due to injuries and poor form.

The 24-year-old has scored only once in 14 Serie A games, although he only started four of those matches from the first minute.

Suarez is like Messi – Enrique

Liverpool defender Jose Enrique finds similarities between trying to stop Luis Suarez in training and playing against Barcelona star Lionel Messi.

The Uruguayan is the Premier League’s top scorer with 21 goals and has tormented defences with his skill and movement.

“I tell (Luis) all the time that he always does the same thing – he tries to do nutmegs. It’s always ’megs, ’megs, ‘megs,” Enrique told the club’s official website.

“He scores so many goals in training. It’s like with Messi – everyone says (Messi) is going to cut inside all the time. And you know that he is going to do this but you can’t stop him from cutting inside and scoring goals.”