Vogts: Berti Vogts has agreed a contract extension which will see him stay on as Azerbaijan coach until 2014. Vogts took charge of Azerbaijan’s national team in 2008, but recently hinted he would not stay on as coach after his side finished fifth in Euro 2012 qualifying Group A. However, the German has now agreed to extend his deal until 2014.
Gera: West Brom midfielder Zoltan Gera has been ruled out for the rest of the season due to a knee injury sustained in Saturday's game against Tottenham. The club confirmed yesterday the 32-year-old midfielder has ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.
Carvalho: Real Madrid’s Portuguese defender Ricardo Carvalho has suffered a sprained right knee in training. The news is a major blow for the 33-year-old, who has spent the last two months on the sidelines with a back injury. It is not known exactly how long the former Chelsea man will be sidelined but he is already a major doubt for the Clasico against Barcelona on December 10.
Wiese: Werder Bremen will be without Germany goalkeeper Tim Wiese for Saturday’s crunch German league clash at Bayern Munich following the death of his father. After Wiese’s father Frank passed away, the 29-year-old returned to the family home on Tuesday and reserve goalkeeper Sebastian Mielitz is expected to deputise at Munich’s Allianz Arena.
Whittaker: Rangers defender Steven Whittaker is optimistic he will be fit for the weekend despite coming off with an Achilles knock during Tuesday’s friendly defeat by Hamburg. The full-back was taken off early in the second half of his side’s 2-1 defeat in Germany. Whittaker said: “I hope it’s not problematic. Just as I was breaking through the boy challenged me from behind and I tried to ride the tackle a bit.”
Boothroyd: Aidy Boothroyd has returned to management with League Two strugglers Northampton. The former Watford, Colchester and Coventry boss, 40, has signed a one-year rolling contract and succeeds Gary Johnson eight months after leaving the Ricoh Arena.
Coppa Italia: Fourth round – Cesena vs Gubbio 3-0.
In Scotland: Division One – Ayr United vs Partick Thistle 0-0.