Bayern Munich midfielder Javi Martinez hopes to be back in action soon after the international break having stepped up his recovery from injury.
Martinez appeared for only five minutes of the opening game of the current Bundesliga season before undergoing groin surgery, but he expects to add to that in the near future.
“I’m back out training on the grass again and can take part in running and sprints while I’m also practising with the ball again,” Martinez said.
“We’re going to increase the workload in the coming days and slowly reach 100 per cent, but all in small doses so as not to suffer a setback.”
Murphy retires
Former England midfielder Danny Murphy has announced his retirement from football after leaving Blackburn Rovers at the end of last season.
Murphy has been working as a pundit in the media since departing Ewood Park and he has decided to hang up his boots.
The 36-year-old also played for Crewe, Liverpool, Charlton, Tottenham and Fulham in a career spanning two decades and consisting of over 600 appearances and nine England caps.
“There have been some press reports about whether I’m still playing or available but I decided a little while ago I would retire, I just didn’t make it official,” Murphy said.
Nuremberg not rushing on coach
Nuremberg director of sport Martin Bader has explained the delay in appointing a new coach.
Michael Wiesinger was relieved of his duties this week and Nuremberg are hoping to present a new coach ahead of their next game at Eintracht Frankfurt next weekend.
However, Bader does not want to be rushed into an appointment.
“The new coach has got to fit in sportingly, humanly and economically,” he said.
“We can’t afford to make any mistakes. If the next coach does not work out, then I get nailed. But that is what I am paid for and I’ve survived for 10 years at the club.”
Zaccheroni backs winter finals
Alberto Zaccheroni, coach of Asian champions Japan, has thrown his support behind switching the date of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar from July to January.
“I think there would be a higher quality World Cup by moving it,” the Italian said.
“Matches should be enjoyed in a pleasant environment and moving the tournament to January would be the answer.”
Zaccheroni led Japan to a record fourth Asian Cup title two years ago in Qatar, when organisers opted to host the event in January.
A decision on the 2022 dates is expected after the World Cup in Brazil next year.
Ronaldo hails improved Neymar
Neymar has improved since leaving Santos for Barcelona in June and could go on to become the best player in the world, according to Brazil compatriot Ronaldo.
“He has evolved and I am sure he will evolve even more,” former Brazil and Barcelona striker Ronaldo said yesterday.
Ronaldo, whose sports marketing company has Neymar on its books, had told the former Santos player that he needed to go to Europe to fulfill his potential.
“I am delighted with Neymar’s start, he’s playing well and scoring goals,” Ronaldo said.
Ronaldo is on the World Cup organising committee but is now spending most of his time in London where he is studying business and marketing.
Ozil impressed by Wenger
Mesut Ozil has backed Arsene Wenger to bring long-awaited success to Arsenal after seeing his work at close hand.
Wenger pulled off something of a coup during the summer when he managed to prise 24-year-old Ozil away from Real Madrid with a £43m bid.
The German has been an instant hit and played his part in a flying start to the new campaign by the Gunners.
He is convinced the Frenchman can bring tangible success back to the club.
Ozil said: “He’s a super coach. He knows exactly what he wants, he has very definite ideas about where he wants to take his team.
“If we want to be successful, we need that kind of coach.”
World Cup tickets in demand
More than six million requests for World Cup tickets were made during the first sales period that ended on Thursday.
A total of 6,164,682 requests came in from 203 countries, FIFA said in a statement.
The large majority, 70.86 per cent, were from host nation Brazil and most were for the cheapest Category Four tickets that cost between 30 reais ($14) and 330 reais ($154).
A total of 726,067 requests were made for the opening match in Sao Paulo on June 12 while 751,165 sought tickets for the final in Rio de Janeiro’s Maracana Stadium on July 13.
Neither ground holds more than 80,000 spectators.