Apsalyamov: Cardiff’s controversial head of recruitment Alisher Apsalyamov will not work for the Premier League club while the Home Office investigates his work permit situation. The 23-year-old Kazakh, a friend of club owner Vincent Tan’s sons, replaced Iain Moody last month in a move which cast doubt over manager Malky Mackay’s long-term future.

Macheda: Doncaster boss Paul Dickov is keen to resurrect a loan deal for Manchester United striker Federico Macheda. Macheda joined Rovers on a month-long loan in mid-September but a hamstring injury cut short his stay at the Championship club. “Kiko is getting closer to being fit again and although I have not spoken to United for a few weeks, I will be on the phone soon to see if we can get him back here,” Dickov said.

Closed Doors: Bulgarian club Botev Plovdiv must play their next league game behind closed doors after fans threw objects onto the pitch and hit an official during their visit to Levski Sofia last weekend. The punishment, handed down by the BFU disciplinary commission, will come in to effect for Botev’s home game against leaders Litex Lovech today.

Coloccini: Newcastle skipper Fabricio Coloccini is unlikely to make today’s Premier League clash with Chelsea as he continues his recovery from injury. The Argentina international is back in training after a groin problem but has no football under his belt.

Bayern: Bayern Munich could be without Arjen Robben and Toni Kroos when they take on Hoffen-heim today aiming to match a Bundesliga record of 36 suc-cessive games without defeat. Both players picked up groin injuries in the 3-2 win over Hertha Berlin and were initially confident of reco-vering in time for the match. Hamburg hold the longest unbeaten run with 36 games set in 1982-83.

In England: Championship – Ipswich vs Barnsley 1-1. League Two – Southend vs Mansfield 3-0.

Scottish Cup: Third round –Rangers vs Airdrie 3-0.