ABIDAL: Eric Abidal is eager to sign a new contract with Barcelona but admits there has not been any contact from the club over an extension. He told Spanish radio station RAC1: “If my health permits I want to continue playing at the club but my contract ends in June. What if they do not call me? Someone told me something (about an ambassador’s role) but not directly. I know that the president has plans for me.”
BORUC: Southampton’s Polish goalkeeper Artur Boruc has signed a deal to stay for two more seasons, the Premier League club said yesterday. The 33-year-old Poland international’s contract had been due to expire at the end of this season but, having established himself as Southampton’s first choice keeper in recent months, he has agreed to stay on.
INTER: Inter midfielders Esteban Cambiasso and Fredy Guarin have joined a mounting injury list at San Siro to leave the Nerazzurri short of 13 senior players. Argentina international Cambiasso, 32, and versatile Colombian Guarin, 26, both suffered leg injuries during Wednesday’s Coppa Italia semi-final defeat to Roma. Medical tests have discovered a muscle tear to Cambiasso’s left adductor muscle while revealing a first-degree strain in Guarin’s right calf.
FABIANSKI: Arsenal goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski could be set for another extended spell on the sidelines with a rib injury. The Poland keeper had only just returned to the side following fitness problems but missed the midweek goalless draw against Everton at the Emirates Stadium, and is now set to be monitored “day-by-day” to assess his availability for the crucial run-in as Arsenal look to cement a top-four finish.
LIBERTADORES CUP: Record goal-scoring keeper Rogerio Ceni converted a penalty to send Sao Paulo on their way to a 2-0 win over fellow Brazilians Atletico Minerio and a place in the last 16 of the Libertadores Cup on Wednesday. Three times South American champions Sao Paulo, who were without suspended forwards Luis Fabiano and Jadson for the Group Three decider at the Morumbi, will clash again with tournament favourites Atletico in the first knockout round.