Neymar has likely been ruled out of Barcelona’s season-opening game against Elche after spraining his ankle.

The Brazilian forward has only just recovered from the cracked verterbra he suffered at the World Cup finals and was back in full training ahead of tomorrow’s Primera Division match at the Nou Camp.

But a statement published on Barca’s official website read: “Following the Thursday training session Neymar complained about some pain in his left ankle, and tests have confirmed that the player has a Grade 1 ankle sprain.”

Ferdinand dreams about England job

Rio Ferdinand has revealed his desire to manage England one day.

The 35-year-old won 81 caps for the Three Lions during his international career, and was named as captain for the 2010 World Cup before injury ruled him out.

His playing days are not yet over – he is currently with QPR – but when he does retire he wants to represent his country again.

“Everyone has dreams of playing for England and my dream after football is to manage England,” he said.

“I don’t expect the chance now, but once I get the badges I am there. However, I am not sitting here saying ‘give me a job’ be-cause I don’t have them yet.”

Blanc interested in Angel Di Maria

Paris St Germain boss Laurent Blanc has confirmed that he is interested in a move for Real Madrid winger Angel Di Maria but said it will be difficult to pull off.

Blanc was asked about the possibility of the Argentinian swapping one European capital for another.

The 48-year-old admitted he would like to sign the former Benfica flier but pointed out there are significant hurdles in the way of any potential move.

“With large players like Di Maria, there are a lot of clubs behind him,” Blanc said.

“PSG can not do what he wants in terms of recruitment (because of financial fair play). This is a difficult issue, the president has confirmed to me.”

Schneiderlin stays

Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino can put away his cheque-book because the message is loud and clear – Southampton’s Morgan Schneiderlin is not for sale.

Former Saints manager Pochettino has been interested in the French international for some weeks, looking to bring the midfielder to Tottenham.

However, Saints boss Ronald Koeman will not be moved.

“For us the rumours about him have gone away,” Koeman said when asked about the persistent talk of Schneiderlin’s exit.

“He played a fantastic match for us against Liverpool, and how he has acted is fantastic.”

Howard takes break from US duty

US national team goalkeeper Tim Howard says he will take a year off from international duty.

Howard, who will continue to play with Everton, has been capped 104 times by the US and was the starting goalkeeper in the last two World Cups.

In a statement, Howard, 35, said he had told US coach Juergen Klinsmann that he would not be available for national team selection until September 2015, meaning he would miss next year’s CONCACAF Gold Cup.

“Having played overseas for the last 12 years and missing out on spending time with my family, making this commitment to my family is very important at this time,” said Howard.

Jets up for sale

A-League club Newcastle Jets was put up for sale but mining magnate Nathan Tinkler’s Hunter Sports Group will continue to run operations until a new buyer is found.

Tinkler has enjoyed a tumultuous relationship with the Football Federation Australia (FFA) since he bought the Jets in 2010, threatening to hand back the licence in 2012 after saying he had lost confidence in the governing body.

One-to-one talks with FFA supremo Frank Lowy smoothed over that row but, having recently off-loaded rugby league team the Newcastle Knights, Tinkler seems determined not to see out the re-maining six years of his licence.

The Jets, who finished seventh in the 10-team league last season with average crowds of nearly 12,000, are scheduled to open the new season against Central Coast Mariners on October 11.

Striker Brandao banned for headbutt

Bastia striker Brandao was suspended for four weeks for his post-match headbutt on PSG’s Thiago Motta last weekend, pending a decision on what the Brazilian’s ultimate punishment could be.

The league’s disciplinary committee said in a statement it would suspend Brandao until his hearing on September 18.

Brandao’s lawyer said medical experts have not clearly established at this stage how much Brandao had hurt Motta and thus how serious his sanction might be.

The striker will take the time off to rest and prepare for the hearing, he added.

“He regrets his gesture and he told the committee so,” the lawyer, Olivier Martin, said.

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