Angers: Ligue 1 surprise package Angers have signed striker Said Benrahma on loan from Nice. The promoted club, who are second only to Paris St Germain in the league table, have secured the 20-year-old Algerian’s services until the end of the season. Benrahma told Angers’ official website: “I’m very happy to be here. I was immediately convinced by the club’s project. When (director of sport) Olivier Pickeu called me I said yes without hesitation.”
Lens: Sunderland’s Jeremain Lens is unlikely to be sold during the January transfer window, manager Sam Allardyce has said. The 28-year-old arrived during the close season from Dynamo Kiev in a reported $12.51 million deal, but his three goals from 16 appearances have disappointed many. “Hopefully he’s got to grips with this level of football,” Allardyce said. “We haven’t had any interest in him.”
Mass: Rob Maas has been elevated to coach of Dutch club Vitesse Arnhem for the rest of the season as successor to Peter Bosz, the club said yesterday. Maas was the assistant for the last two years to Bosz, who has left for Israeli champions Maccabi Tel Aviv. The 46-year-old takes charge of his first match on Saturday when fifth placed Vitesse travel to struggling SC Cambuur.
Benfica: Jonas scored a hat-trick, taking his tally to 18 in 17 league games, to give Benfica a 4-1 win at Nacional yesterday after they played out the remaining 82 minutes of a match abandoned due to fog the previous evening. The game was called off in the eighth minute on Sunday with fog cloaking Nacional’s hillside stadium in Madeira, the fourth league game to be postponed on the island this season.
Celtic fans: Celtic could face possible punishment over the behaviour of their fans during Sunday’s Scottish Cup clash at Stranraer. Scottish FA compliance officer Tony McGlennan has reviewed video footage of the travelling supporters at Stair Park which appears to show them letting off flares and singing offensive chants. A smoke bomb was also thrown onto the pitch during the Hoops’ 3-0 win.
In Italy: Lega Pro (Group A) AlbinoLeffe vs Mantova 0-0; (Group C) Paganese vs Casertana 2-2.