Swansea City defender Kyle Naughton has been ruled out for the rest of the season with ankle ligament damage.
Naughton was hurt during Swansea’s 3-1 Premier League home victory over Hull on Saturday in a challenge which saw Tigers midfielder David Meyler shown a straight red card.
Naughton has proved a fine acquisition for Swansea since joining from Spurs in a £5m deal in January.
The 26-year-old has ousted the long-serving Angel Rangel to become a regular at right-back.
CAF poised to choose 2017 host
Algeria, Gabon or Ghana will be chosen today to take over as hosts of the 2017 African Nations Cup finals from war-torn Libya when the Confederation of African Football’s executive committee votes.
All three countries, which have previously hosted the tournament, have sent ministerial dele-gations to deliver last-minute presentations to the committee before the vote.
Gabon, the favourites to win the vote, co-hosted the 2012 finals with Equatorial Guinea.
Algeria hosted the tournament in 1990 when they won their only continental title.
Wigan sack Mackay
Championship strugglers Wigan have parted company with Malky Mackay after the club slipped eight points adrift of safety.
The Latics were beaten 2-0 by Derby on Monday, leaving them facing the prospect of dropping down into League One barely two years after they were in the top flight and won the FA Cup.
And in a short statement on their official website, the club confirmed they had removed Mackay from his post just five months after his controversial hiring.
Chairman David Sharpe said: “This was a very difficult decision to make but I feel that for the long-term future of the club, there needs to be change now.”
Peace sets deadline for WBA takeover
West Brom chairman Jeremy Peace has set a summer deadline for any investors to buy the club.
The Baggies’ owner wants to avoid a long takeover saga at The Hawthorns and would be prepared to shelve any deal – if not completed – by early June, reports said.
Peace, who has been majority shareholder since 2005, is believed to want between £150 million and £200 million for the Premier League club.
Groups from China, America and Australia are understood to be interested.
Peace said: “I said in 2008 that I was open to proposals regarding investment in the club and would not stand in the way of a new owner providing they convinced me their intentions were in keeping with WBA traditions.”
Benitez says not leaving Napoli
Beleaguered Napoli coach Rafael Benitez denied rumours that he has already decided to quit the Serie A club at the end of the season.
Napoli are experiencing a poor run of form after slipping to sixth place in the table following a 1-0 defeat to Roma in their last match. Reports this week suggested Benitez will not negotiate a new deal at Napoli but he scotched the rumours.
“I’ve read that the president may not offer a renewal. I’ve read that Benitez has already spoken with the team. This is not true,” Benitez said.
“In a few weeks I’ll meet with the president, and we’ll discuss what’s best for Napoli going forward.”
Goalkeeper Beto commits to Sevilla
Goalkeeper Beto has signed a new contract with Europa League holders Sevilla to end speculation about his future.
The 32-year-old’s existing deal was due to expire in the summer, but the Portugal international has agreed a new two-year deal with an option for a further season.
“I signed where I always wanted to be,” Beto said.
“I had other choices. The negotiations were very long, but ultimately this was the will of both parties.”
Beto first arrived at Sevilla on loan from Braga in early 2013 before making the move permanent in the summer, having established himself as the club’s first-choice stopper.
Luiz, Thiago to miss Barca match
Paris St Germain paid a heavy price for their weekend win at Marseille as centre back David Luiz and midfielder Thiago Motta picked up injuries that will sideline them for the Champions League quarter-final home game against Barcelona.
The French champions were already without suspended striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic and midfielder Marco Verratti for the first-leg game on April 15.
Brazilian David Luiz will be out for four weeks and will miss both Barcelona games, coach Laurent Blanc said.
“David Luiz will be out for four weeks and Thiago Motta sidelined for 10 days through injuries they picked up against Marseille,” Blanc said.