The new coach of SC Paderborn, Stefan Effenberg, 47, addresses a news conference in Paderborn, yesterday. The former Germany international took over at the troubled second division club on Tuesday in his first coaching appointment, more than a decade after the end of his playing career.
Courtois targets December return
Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois hopes to be back in action from a knee injury by December.
The Belgium international needed surgery following damage to ligaments in his right knee suffered in training last month.
Courtois revealed the procedure had gone well.
“In terms of my knee, it is good. I am doing my rehabilitation and it is progressing fine,” Courtois said.
“I will be (now) starting the bulk of the work with my physio to come back as soon as possible.
“Of course, I still have to be careful not to go too quickly, but all being well, I should be back in December.”
Dundee United opt for Mixu Paatelainen
Mixu Paatelainen has been ap-pointed as the new head coach of Dundee United.
A former United player he is also a member of the club’s hall of fame having scored 47 times in 173 appearances during his five-year spell at the club as a striker.
Paatelainen, who played for the Terrors between 1987 and 1992, has signed a contract until 2018 and was previously Finland head coach for four years.
Prior to that he was team manager of Kilmarnock, Hibernian and Cowdenbeath.
Paatelainen succeeds Jackie McNamara as boss of the Tannadice club currently sitting bottom of the table.
Stones is fit
Everton’s hopes of making it four wins out of four against Manchester United at Goodison Park on Saturday received a boost with manager Roberto Martinez saying defender John Stones will be available for selection after recovering from a knee injury.
The 21-year-old, who had a transfer request rejected during the summer window, missed the games against West Bromwich Albion and bitter city rivals Liverpool.
“I think he should be ready.
“Remember that John has been having a lot of quality work at Finch Farm (club’s training ground) and it will be a matter of just getting that match fitness,” Martinez said.
Lazio’s Parolo out with thigh injury
Lazio midfielder Marco Parolo is expected to be sidelined for a month with a thigh injury.
The 30-year-old got hurt during Italy’s 3-1 win at Azerbaijan on Saturday and underwent tests which have revealed a first degree muscular lesion in his left thigh.
Lazio have not confirmed Parolo’s length of absence but the experienced midfielder looks set to miss five Serie A games, including the Rome derby on November 8.
The Italy international is also expected to sit out Lazio’s Europa League Group G double header against Rosenborg.
Parolo’s injury is a further setback for Lazio coach Stefano Pioli, with midfielder Lucas Biglia out until next month after sustaining a hamstring injury while on international duty.
Allardyce eyes reunion with Nolan
Sunderland boss Sam Allardyce is eyeing a reunion with Kevin Nolan and has said he may sign the former Bolton, Newcastle and West Ham captain.
Nolan is a free agent after following Allardyce out of West Ham and is eligible to move outside the transfer window.
“I need to assess the squad and take it from there. Kevin and me go a long way back, as everyone knows,” Allardyce said.
“Nolan is an addition I may look at in the future but at the moment it’s about giving the players I’ve got an opportunity to show what they can do.”
England, Lithuania charged by UEFA
UEFA have opened disciplinary proceedings against the English FA and Lithuanian Football Federation (LFF) following crowd disturbances in their Euro 2016 qualifier in Vilnius on Monday.
Riot police had to break up skirmishes between rival fans before the start with some England supporters appearing to be in a section for home fans with no segregation.
UEFA said in a statement the LFF also face proceedings over ticketing and blocked stairways.
England won 3-0 to make it 10 wins from 10 in Group E ahead of next year’s finals in France.