Nemanja Vidic’s agent has quashed speculation that the defender will leave Inter at the end of the season.
The former Manchester United captain has been strongly linked with a return to England after joining the Nerazzurri as a free agent last summer.
Asked if Vidic would stay at Inter, his agent Silvano Martina said: “I think he should, yes, because he has another two years left on his contract. In fact, I want to reveal something.
“Last year he (Vidic) made a specific choice to come to Milan, even though Manchester United wanted to keep him.”
Ireland’s McClean allays injury fears
Ireland winger James McClean has played down fears that he could miss Sunday’s Euro 2016 qualifier against Poland through injury.
McClean was sent for a scan on Tuesday after limping out of training, leaving manager Martin O’Neill with his fingers crossed.
However, the Wigan midfielder has insisted he will be ready for the Group D clash.
McClean said: “The ankle should be fine. I said I’d give it a go in training, but unfortunately it was just too sore to carry out the session. I went and had a scan and thankfully it’s just some bone bruising.”
Carlisle ‘no shame’ at suicide bid
Former Premier League star Clarke Carlisle said he felt “no shame” about his recent suicide attempt.
The 35-year-old said he was “incredibly unwell” when he tried to take his own life in December but he now had a “very different perspective” on life.
Speaking at the launch of a project to tackle mental health discrimination in sport, Carlisle said: “People are very delicate stepping around it – there’s no shame invested in it for me.
“I tried to commit suicide because I was incredibly unwell, but it’s changed my life because I got incredible support.”
Carlisle was hit by a 12-ton lorry on the A64 in December.
Messi scans
Lionel Messi has had scans on a foot complaint but is fine to feature for Argentina over the international break.
Messi picked up a knock to his right foot during Barcelona’s 2-1 win over Real Madrid in Sunday’s El Clasico, but fears he would have to go back to Spain for recovery have been allayed by the Argentine FA.
A statement read: “Lionel Messi was held at a private clinic in Washington for medical tests on discomfort in his right foot.
“These tests did not show any injury.”
Gerardo Martino’s side are in the US for friendlies against El Salvador on Sunday and Ecuador on April 1.
Martin Skrtel fails to overturn ban
Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel has failed in his bid to overturn a three-match suspension for standing on Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea.
The Slovakia international appealed to an independent panel sitting in judgment on the matter on the basis his action was accidental and not intentional.
However, the panel rejected the 30-year-old centre-back’s submission and ruled the charge of violent conduct proven.
Skrtel will serve an immediate suspension, meaning he misses league games at Arsenal and home to Newcastle either side of the FA Cup replay at Blackburn.
Chelsea goalkeeper ready to Cech out
Goalkeeper Petr Cech says he will leave Chelsea rather than spend another season as understudy to Thibaut Courtois.
The 32-year-old Czech international has lost his place to the young Belgian this term, starting only four Premier League games and being primarily used in the domestic cup competitions.
Cech said the situation could not go on indefinitely.
“I don’t know what the club’s idea will be. It looks like it works well with me and Thibaut as a duo,” he said.
“But that can work for one season only. I don’t want another one like this,” he added while on international duty for the Czechs who play Latvia in a Euro 2016 qualifier in Prague on Saturday.
Falcao hints at need to move on
Manchester United’s on-loan striker Radamel Falcao hinted he could leave the club at the end of the season in search of more regular football.
Colombia forward Falcao missed last year’s World Cup through injury then moved on loan from Monaco to United where he has seen limited first-team action and scored few goals under manager Louis van Gaal.
“I think any footballer needs to play and is happy playing. I’m totally committed to the club, there are eight matches to go (in the Premier League) and anything can happen,” Falcao said.
“So when the championship ends surely I’ll sit down, do an analysis and decide what’s best for me,” added the 29-year-old, who was a prolific scorer for Porto, Atletico Madrid and Monaco before his knee ligament injury 14 months ago.