Bayern Munich winger Franck Ribery, sidelined with an injury since March, could return to team training in the coming weeks, coach Pep Guardiola said.

The French winger has been out of action after picking up an ankle injury in their Champions League game against Shakhtar Donetsk last season and an initial recovery estimate of a few days has become a frustrating absence of eight months.

“Franck has made great strides in the past week,” Guardiola said.

“Maybe he can in a week or two participate in parts of the team training.”

UEFA take no action against Man. City

Manchester City will not face any sanctions from UEFA for their fans booing the Champions League anthem.

UEFA’s disciplinary body has reviewed the case after the booing was reported by the match delegate following last month’s home win over Seville and decided not to take any action.

City’s fans have regularly booed the anthem.

Issues that have angered fans include financial fair play sanctions and last season a City fans group protested after 650 CSKA Moscow supporters gained access to their stadium despite the Russian club being ordered to play it behind closed doors.

Corinthians canter to Brazilian title

Corinthians were crowned Brazilian champions yesterday after a 1-1 draw with Vasco da Gama, coupled with Atletico Mineiro’s 4-2 defeat at Sao Paulo, gave them an unassailable 12-point lead with three games remaining.

Corinthians were the league’s top scorers. They also won more games and suffered fewer defeats than anyone else on the way to winning their second title in four years for coach Tite.

This week’s results put Corinthians on 77 points, while Atletico have 65.

“It was deserved, we all worked hard,” goalkeeper Cassio said.

“We deserved congratulations for all we put into it.”

Deulofeu clause

Everton winger Gerard Deulofeu will return to Barcelona at the end of the season if his former club activates a €9m buy-back clause in his contract, manager Roberto Martinez has revealed.

Martinez signed Deulofeu for €4.5 million in June and the 21-year-old has blossomed in England. But Barcelona, who are under a transfer embargo, refused to let Deulofeu leave without a buy-back clause in his contract valid for two years.

“There is nothing we can do if they activate the clause,” Martinez said.

“That was the deal and the only way we could access the player in the terms that we wanted. I’m delighted with the deal.”

Schelotto joins Sporting Lisbon

Ezequiel Schelotto has concluded his transfer move to Portugal’s Sporting Lisbon.

Sporting said Schelotto, the former Inter and Chievo midfielder, will have a buy-out clause of €45m. The Argentina-born Italian had agreed to rescind his contract with Inter in summer.

“The Sporting Clube de Portugal announces that it has reached a deal with the player Ezequiel Schelotto,” read a statement.

“The player was signed with a contract until the end of this season, with an option for another three years and a buy-out clause of €45 million.”

Watford boss relishes De Gea reunion

Watford manager Quique Sanchez Flores will be reunited with David De Gea, the keeper he promoted to the first team when he was in charge of Atletico Madrid, when Manchester United travel to Vicarage Road in the Premier League today.

De Gea was 18 when Sanchez Flores first called him up seven seasons ago.

“I gave David his debut (at Atletico against Porto in the Champions League in September 2009),” Sanchez Flores said.

“He was third-choice keeper and after one month he was first choice. You just need to focus on the training and watch how he is taking the ball and handling it.

“For me, he is probably the best goalkeeper in the world.”

Rodriguez could require surgery

Southampton striker Jay Rodriguez is facing another lengthy spell on the sidelines after manager Ronald Koeman said he could require surgery on an injured ankle.

Rodriguez came back into the side at the start of the season after spending more than a year recovering from a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament he suffered in April 2014. However, he has not played since the 2-2 draw with Leicester on October 17.

“Jay is not good, it’s now a long time and we have to make a really tough decision how we have to do the treatment,” Koeman said.

“His foot is still a problem, it gives a lot of pain. We did everything and now, the final call, maybe it will be surgery next week.”

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