Derdiyok: Out-of-favour Hoffenheim striker Eren Derdiyok has been returned to Champions League competitors Bayer Leverkusen on loan until the end of the season after he was reduced to training with the reserves, the club said yesterday. The 25-year-old Swiss international had legally challenged his relegation to the second team but the transfer now ends any dispute with Hoffenheim.

Alkmaar: AZ Alkmaar narrowly squeezed into the group stage of the Europa League after a dramatic tie with Atromitos of Greece was halted when a fire broke out at their stadium on Thursday night and they had to return for the last 31 minutes yesterday. The match was stopped after 59 minutes on Thursday when an electrical short circuit led to a blaze on the fifth floor of the AFAS Stadium and the subsequent failure of the floodlights. AZ trailed 1-0 at the time and conceded a second goal on Friday. Despite losing 2-0 at home, however, they went through on the away goals rule after winning last week’s first leg 3-1 in Greece.

Celtic: Celtic have signed Israel midfielder Nir Biton from FC Ashdod for an undisclosed fee, the Scottish champions said yesterday. The 21-year-old has inked a four-year deal with the Scottish club.

Crouch: Stoke striker Peter Crouch comes back into contention for the today’s Premier League trip to West Ham. Crouch missed Wednesday’s midweek League Cup win over Walsall due to illness, but will be vying for the lead forward role alongside Kenwyne Jones following the latter’s hat-trick against the Saddlers.

In Scotland: Championship – Dundee vs Livingston 3-0.

Women's Football: U-19 frien-dly ­– Malta vs N. Ireland 1-2.

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