Obasi: Schalke are reported to be interested in signing Hoffenheim forward Chinedu Obasi to replace Peru’s Jefferson Farfan, who suffered a serious knee injury last month. Obasi, 25, is under contract with Hoffen-heim until 2014, but after a bout of injuries this season is no longer first choice at Hoffenheim.

Sanchez: Barnet manager Lawrie Sanchez has denied he has had any contact with the Irish FA about returning to coach Northern Ireland. Sanchez, who enjoyed a successful stint in charge of the side between 2004 and 2007, was reported to be on the shortlist to replace Nigel Worthington, who resigned from the post in October.

Compensation: Dunfermline are seeking financial compensation from the Scottish FA following the postponement of Saturday’s match against Kilmarnock. Pars chairman John Yorkston was yesterday awaiting a response from the SFA after writing to express his unhappiness at the decision not to play the Premier League encounter due to fog.

Barca: Barcelona ended a brief break in Japan yesterday before their Club World Cup battle by meeting children evacuated from the region around the crippled Fukushima nuclear power plant. Lionel Messi, Xavi and other stars presented Barcelona shirts to 11 Fukushima children before an evening training session at a football park owned by the J-League Yokohama Marinos.

Crespo: Bulgarian club Ludogorets Razgrad is trying to lure veteran Hernan Crespo on loan from Italy’s Serie A side Parma. The 36-year-old Argentine has already agreed to the move to the current Bulgarian league leaders, the daily 7 dni sport reported yesterday. The owner of Ludogorets Razgrad, Kiril Domus-chiev, who had yet to negotiate the deal with Parma, meanwhile, said he was prepared to pay €300,000 for Crespo.

Vogel: Heiko Vogel has penned a permanent deal to remain as Basle coach until the summer of 2014 after successfully guiding the club to the last 16 of the Champions League. The 36-year-old Vogel had been in caretaker charge of the club since October 13, following the departure of former boss Thorsten Fink to Hamburg.

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