Minasyan: Armenia’s national players asked coach Vardan Minasyan to reconsider his decision to resign at the end of the team’s World Cup qualifying campaign. Last week, Armenia climbed to a best-ever 38th place in the FIFA rankings. “We, of course, respect Vardan Minasyan’s decision but we would like him to reconsider it,” the players said in an open letter. On Monday Minasyan, 39, said he had rejected a contract extension.

Kompany: Captain Vincent Kompany is again missing as Manchester City travel to CSKA Moscow in Champions League Group D. Manager Manuel Pellegrini had hoped the defender could return for the key tie in the Russian capital but he will now not be risked ahead of the weekend trip to Chelsea.

Rafael: Verona have decided to extend the contract of their goalkeeper Rafael until June 2016. Brazilian Rafael joined Verona in 2007 from Sao Bento with the Italian club then playing in the third division. This season Rafael, 31, has played in all Verona’s matches.

Kean: Former Blackburn Rovers boss Steve Kean has completed an unlikely deal to coach Brunei DPMM in the lowly Singapore S.League next season. The Scot had been out of work since stepping down from his role with former English champions Blackburn in September last year.

Verbeek: Dutch coach Gertjan Verbeek has signed a contract with Bundesliga club Nuremberg until 2015 with the former German champions locked in a relegation battle. Verbeek, 51, last coached AZ Alkmaar from 2010-13, winning the Dutch Cup and steering them to a Europa League spot three times.