Podolski: German international striker Lukas Podolski was described as “football’s little Mike Tyson” yesterday by the player’s club coach Stale Solbakken. “When I see his physique, Lukas Podolski is football’s little Mike Tyson,” said Cologne boss Solbakken as he reflected on the striker’s 1.82m and 83kg build.
Afellay: Barcelona’s Ibrahim Afellay will undergo surgery to repair a torn ligament in his left knee on Monday. The 25-year-old winger, who had recently returned to fitness after picking up a hamstring injury in pre-season, picked up the injury during training last week.
Klinsmann: US coach Jurgen Klinsmann tabbed Danny Williams and Oguchi Onyewu among 22 players for a pair of upcoming friendlies. Williams, a 21-year-old midfielder for Hoffenheim, is now eligible to play for the Americans after certifying his US citizenship with the US consulate in Germany. The US will face Honduras on October 8 at Miami and play Ecuador on October 11 at Harrison, New Jersey.
Vaughan: Norwich manager Paul Lambert has confirmed James Vaughan will be out for several months with a knee injury. The 23-year-old hobbled off as a second-half substitute during Monday’s 2-1 win over on Sunderland.
Pleat: Nottingham Forest have confirmed David Pleat is to step down from his part-time role as football consultant. The move is part of a restructuring of backroom resources at the City Ground. Pleat was part of Forest’s much-criticised transfer acquisitions panel after joining the club in 2006.
Blanket ban: Manchester City issued a blanket ban on questions about the Carlos Tevez saga at manager Roberto Mancini’s weekly press conference. Reporters were yesterday ordered not to attempt to question Mancini about Tevez.
Axed: FIFA yesterday excluded Myanmar from the 2018 World Cup and ordered the Asian state to pay a fine over the violence wrought by their supporters during a qualifier with Oman. The World Cup qual-ifier between Myanmar and Oman in July was abandoned after home fans in the Yangon stadium pelted the pitch with rocks and shoes.
MFA Division Two: Gżira vs San Ġwann 0-0
In Scotland: Premier League –Aberdeen vs Dunfermline 4-0.
Snooker: Players Tour Champ-ionship – (first round) T. Drago bt G. Biernadski 4-0; (second round) T. Drago bt M. Couch 4-1.