LE ROY: Claude Le Roy, who once labelled fellow Frenchmen coach-ing in Africa “Club Med tourists”, will take charge of his eighth different national side after agreeing on a two-year contract with Congo. French radio reported the 65-year-old, whose last job was in charge of neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo, signed the deal with a target of qualifying the country for the 2015 African Nations Cup finals.

BEN ARFA: Newcastle midfielder Hatem Ben Arfa has been banned from driving after he twice failed to pass on information about someone caught speeding in his car. The 26-year-old appeared at South East Northumberland Magistrates’ Court dressed in a black T-shirt and jeans to plead guilty to both offences. The court heard that, on November 5 and November 20 last year, a car owned by the France international was caught speeding in Gosforth, Newcastle.

MOWATT: Leeds teenager Alex Mowatt has signed a new three-and-a-half year contract with the club. The 18-year-old midfielder has been rewarded with a long-term deal after establishing himself in Brian McDermott’s starting line-up following his first-team debut in the League Cup win at home town club Doncaster in August.

LATICS: Wigan chairman Dave Whelan claims his club have been granted permission to speak to Brentford boss Uwe Rosler regarding their managerial vacancy. The Latics are searching for a new manager for the second time in six months after parting ways with Owen Coyle on Sunday, when the ex-Burnley and Bolton boss’s offer to resign was accepted by Whelan following three successive home defeats.

POUPLIN: Sochaux goalkeeper Simon Pouplin has been ruled out for several weeks with a shoulder injury. The 28-year-old was hurt during the midweek 2-0 home defeat to Reims and medical tests have subsequently revealed a sprain to the acromioclavicular joint in his right shoulder.

SCOTTISH PREMIER: Motherwell vs Celtic 0-5.

IN ENGLAND: FA Cup second round – Port Vale vs Salisbury 4-1.