Liverpool centre-back Mamadou Sakho has been ruled out of France’s upcoming friendlies against Germany and England through injury.
Sakho sprained his right knee during Liverpool’s 2-1 league defeat at home to Crystal Palace and will undergo tests to determine the extent of the injury.
France coach Didier Des-champs has called up Saint Etienne defender Loic Perrin as Sakho’s replacement.
Les Bleus take on Germany on Friday at the Stade de France before travelling to Wembley to face England on November 17.
Deila disappointed by fans booing
Boss Ronny Deila declared his disappointment in the Celtic fans who disrupted the minute’s silence to commemorate Re-membrance Sunday ahead of the 4-1 win over Ross County in Dingwall on Sunday.
It was a small minority of Celtic fans who made themselves heard and there were boos from all around the Global Energy Stadium at its conclusion.
Deila said: “I am disappointed in it. It is something the club maybe say something about, but personally it is disappointing.”
Asked if it surprised him, Deila said: “Yes. I come from Norway and I don’t know too much about these things, but it is something the club has to deal with.”
Ramos, Juanfran out of friendlies
Spain defenders Sergio Ramos and Juanfran have withdrawn from the squad for this month’s friendlies against England and Belgium after they were injured in La Liga action, the European champions said yesterday.
Ramos hurt his troublesome shoulder while scoring in Real Madrid’s 3-2 defeat at Sevilla, while full-back Juanfran sustained a thigh strain in the 1-0 win at home to Sporting Gijon.
Coach Vicente del Bosque has called up Real’s Nacho Fernandez and Athletic Bilbao’s Oscar de Marcos to replace them.
Spain host England in Alicante on Friday and play Belgium in Brussels four days later.
Fellaini injured
Everton winger Kevin Mirallas and Ghent midfielder Sven Kums were drafted in yesterday as injury replacements for Belgium’s two friendlies against Italy and Spain over the next week.
The pair were called up after Marouane Fellaini and Jordan Lukaku withdrew from the squad because of injury.
Both missed club action at the weekend, with Manchester United’s Fellaini suffering from a calf injury and Lukaku, of Belgian league leaders Oostende, out with hamstring trouble.
Mirallas returns after being dropped for last month’s ties against Andorra and Israel.
Roma hit with Salah ankle trouble
Roma have suffered a blow with news that Mohamed Salah will be sidelined for up to six weeks with an ankle injury.
The Egyptian winger, who joined Roma on a season-long loan from Chelsea this summer, was stretchered off during Sunday’s 2-0 win over Lazio following a harsh tackle from Senad Lulic.
Tests done yesterday ruled out a fracture but revealed ligament damage.
Salah has made 11 league appearances for Roma and is the club’s third-highest scorer with six goals in all competitions.
The 23-year-old is set to miss four Serie A games as well as Roma’s last two Champions League Group E encounters.
Neymar planned goal manoeuvre
Neymar revealed his goal of the season contender was pre-planned after dazzling as Bar-celona swept aside Villarreal.
Neymar scored either side of a Luis Suarez penalty to secure a 3-0 win, but it is the final goal against Villarreal that will make headlines across the world.
Showing great vision and control, the 23-year-old collected a pass and chipped it up while on the turn to bamboozle Jaume Costa and then volley into the net.
“I thought about the move in advance and it came off,” Neymar said.
“We played well against Villarreal, who are a great team. I’m happy with my contribution and goals but I think I can improve even more.”
Cruyff tackling cancer head on
Johan Cruyff has said it is “all hands on deck” dealing with his lung cancer.
The former Holland star’s illness was made public last month with the 68-year-old’s official website reporting that he had undergone various check-ups in Spain.
And now Cruyff, writing in his De Telegraaf column, said: “We are well underway with my illness. It is all hands on deck.
“Thinking about football gives me a lot of joy and takes my mind off worrying about the illness.
“The exceptional medical staff have finished their preparations and we are now going into a new phase, knowing that a lot of ex-cellent work has been done.”