Rodriguez: Wolfsburg defender Ricardo Rodriguez, a transfer target for several top European clubs, signed a four-year contract extension yesterday that will see him stay at the Bundesliga club until 2019. The 22-year-old Swiss international, who played in last year’s World Cup, has been in superb form this season, helping lift Wolfsburg to second place in the Bundesliga.

Schlupp: Ghana have left out Jeffrey Schlupp from their final African Nations Cup squad, avoiding a showdown with Leicester City over the availability of the injured defender. Abdul Majeed Waris has also been left out by new coach Avram Grant. Both Schlupp and Waris were asked to travel to Spain for an examination by Ghana’s team doctor.

Kramaric: Leicester City have signed Croatia striker Andrej Kramaric after agreeing a deal with HNK Rijeka. The highly-rated 23-year-old has completed a medical and agreed personal terms and will sign a three-year contract once a work permit has been granted, the English club confirmed. Kramaric has scored 28 goals in 31 games for Rijeka this season.

Vlaar: Aston Villa’s Dutch international defender Ron Vlaar has been ruled out for up to six weeks with a knee injury. “There’s a little bit of meniscus damage there but it’s not as bad as we thought,” manager Paul Lambert said. Vlaar suffered the injury early in the 0-0 draw with Crystal Palace on January 1.

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