Perez: Arsenal striker Lucas Perez will miss tomorrow’s Premier League game against Sunderland after picking up an injury against Reading in the League Cup on Tuesday. The 28-year-old limped off with an ankle injury in the second half of the 2-0 victory after a tackle by Reading’s Danzell Gravenberch, and could be facing an extended spell on the sidelines.

Warburton: Mark Warburton hopes his future as Rangers manager is long term after reports linked him with the managerial post at Wigan. The Rangers boss is reportedly a rival to Karl Robinson, who left MK Dons by mutual consent on Sunday, and Ryan Giggs for the Latics job. Warburton said: “I am absolutely bemused where these reports come from. I am amazed they even make the papers.”

Zubizarreta: Andoni Zubizarreta is Marseille’s new sporting director, the club said yesterday. The 55-year-old’s appointment is the latest appointment in an overhaul of the former European champions by new American owner Frank McCourt as he signals his intent to return them to their traditional position as a force in French football. Zubizarreta, who held the same role at Barcelona between 2010 and 2015, takes over from Gunter Jacob, who was sacked on Wednesday.

Saul: Atletico Madrid midfielder Saul Niguez has underlined Diego Simeone’s towering influence at the club by promising he will not leave while the Argentine remains in charge. The 21-year-old has developed into one of Simeone’s most important players in the last two seasons, famously scoring a mesmeric winner against Bayern Mu-nich last term. “As long as Simeone is here, no, I won’t leave,” Saul said.

MLS play-offs: Emmanuel Boa-teng scored twice to lead LA Galaxy to a 3-1 win over Salt Lake in MLS’s Western Conference play-offs, while in the East Toronto beat Philadelphia Union 3-1 to advance. The Galaxy will host Colorado Rapids in the first match of the West’s two-leg semi-final series. In Toronto, Sebastian Giovinco, Jona-than Osorio and Jozy Altidore scored in a 3-1 win over Philadelphia at BMO Field.