Mertens: PSV winger Dries Mer-tens expects to complete a move to Serie A club Napoli in the upcoming transfer window, according to his father. An interview published in Belgian newspaper Het Nieuwsblad suggests the 26-year-old will pick the Italian runners-up ahead of a London club and possible Premier League football. Herman Mertens said: “Dries sent me a text message saying he expects to go to Naples next week.”

Handanovic: Inter quashed speculation that they will part with goalkeeper Samir Handa-novic after revealing they had bought out his contract from Udinese. The Slovenia international joined Inter in a co-ownership from last summer. He impressed at the San Siro and this summer was linked with a move to Barcelona.

Wigan: Wigan will start life in the Championship under new boss Owen Coyle with a trip to Barnsley on August 3. The FA Cup holders will cross the Pennines to Oakwell following their relegation from the Premier League. Harry Redknapp’s QPR, who also dropped down a league at the end of last season, will kick off with a home tie against Sheffield Wednesday while the third team relegated, Reading, will host Ipswich Town.

Hearts: Scottish Premier League outfit Hearts have appointed BDO as administrators, the accountancy firm said last night, and the club will start next season with a 15-point penalty. Hearts, who said on Monday they intended to appoint administrators but who have yet to confirm they have, have suffered the fallout from the financial problems of businessman Vladimir Romanov, their main shareholder.

US win: The US maintained their push for a 2014 World Cup berth with a third straight victory in the final round of CONCACAF qualifying after Jozy Altidore’s late strike saw off a stubborn Honduras 1-0 in Utah on Tuesday. Altidore’s 73rd minute goal was the difference between the teams at Rio Tinto Stadium as the home side were rewarded for their domination to complete a trio of June fixtures with a 100 per cent record.