Marquez: Former Barcelona defender Rafael Marquez has been recalled to Mexico’s squad for next month’s do-or-die CONCACAF World Cup qualifiers. New coach Victor Vucetich has also named newly-naturalised Argentine-born midfielder Lucas Lobos in a 25-man squad for the matches at home to Panama on Oct. 11 and in Costa Rica four days later. The 34-year-old Marquez was last called up by his country in June 2012.

Sterling: The assault case against Liverpool footballer Raheem Sterling collapsed yesterday when his former girlfriend failed to support the prosecution’s case by giving “disappointing” evidence. Sterling was alleged to have attacked 19-year-old model Shana Ann Rose Halliday following a row about a text message. But Sterling was formally found not guilty by magistrates when the Crown Prosecution Service withdrew its case after magistrates refused to treat Miss Halliday as a hostile witness

Menezes: Former Brazil coach Mano Menezes resigned from Flamengo immediately after seeing his team squander a 2-0 lead and lose 4-2 at home to Atletico Paranaense in the razilian championship. Menezes, who had been in charge for four months, became the third coach this year to leave Brazil’s most popular club.

Arteta: Arsenal midfielder Mikel Arteta is ready to return to the squad after missing the start of the season with a thigh injury. The Spaniard has missed the team’s opening four league matches, as well as Wednesday’s 2-1 win at Olympique Marseille in the Champions League, and his return to the side is a further boost for the north Londoners who have enjoyed a good start to their campaign.

Silva: Manchester City’s attacking midfielder David Silva has recovered from a thigh injury in time for tomorrow’s derby against Manchester United, manager Manuel Pellegrini said yesterday. The Spaniard, who missed last weekend’s 0-0 draw at Stoke City and Tuesday’s 3-0 win at Viktoria Plzen in the Champions League, has returned to training and could inject some verve into the side when they host the Premier League champions.