Vercoutre: Lyon’s bid to qualify for the Champions League suffered a major blow yesterday when goalkeeper Remy Vercoutre was ruled out for the rest of the season with a serious knee injury. He was hurt in training and will be replaced by 22-year-old Anthony Lopes, who has never played a Ligue 1 game, when they host St Etienne today.

Hart: Manchester City assistant-boss David Platt has played down fears of a long-term injury for Joe Hart and insisted the keeper will have recovered by tomorrow. Platt confirmed Hart suffered a back spasm attempting to make a clearance during the second-half of City’s 2-1 win over West Ham yesterday. “I think Joe’s back spasmed as he kicked a ball,” said Platt. “He is a bit blocked up but he will be OK on Monday.”

Old Trafford: Manchester United Supporters Trust (MUST) has lodged an application to be given the opportunity to buy Old Trafford should the stadium ever be put up for sale. There is no suggestion the Glazer family are looking to sell United’s world-famous home. That has not stopped MUST submitting a nomination to Trafford Council for the ground to be registered as an ‘Asset of Community Value’. If the application is accepted, MUST would be given the opportunity to buy the stadium should the Glazers ever decide to cash in.

Samuel: Inter’s injuries woes continued to grow yesterday with the news that veteran defender Walter Samuel will miss out on the trip to Palermo this afternoon. The towering Argentine had recently returned from a long lay-off but suffered another tendon problem during training on Friday. Inter are already without Rodrigo Palacio, Antonio Cassano, Fredy Guarin, Diego Milito, Esteban Cambiasso, Yuto Nagatomo, Walter Gargano, Joel Obi and Gaby Mudingayi.

Murray: Crystal Palace’s leading scorer Glenn Murray has signed a new contract to keep him at Selhurst Park until the summer of 2016. Murray’s original deal was set to expire next summer, but having soared to the top of the scoring charts in the Championship, the 30-goal striker has been rewarded with a two-year extension.

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