Celtic midfielder Shunsuke Nakamura could be added to the Japan squad for this month's World Cup qualifier against Bahrain if his side's Scottish Premier League fixture with troubled Gretna is called off.
Nakamura was left out of a 21-man party for the March 26 game in Manama as Celtic are scheduled to play at Gretna three days earlier.
However, with debt-riddled Gretna having gone into administration, Japanese officials said yesterday they could include Nakamura if the Gretna game were to be cancelled.
Eto'o wanted Chelsea or United
Barcelona striker Samuel Eto'o would have preferred facing Chelsea or Manchester United rather than Schalke 04 in the Champions League quarter-finals.
"There are lots of other people who would have wanted Schalke, but I can assure you there are no easy games," the Cameroon international told reporters after Friday's draw. "I would have preferred to be drawn against Chelsea or Manchester United because at least then you would have been going with the idea that it is going to be tough.
"Games like these can be a trap and I hope we don't fall into it because Schalke deserve to be there just like any other team."
Anelka vows to stay at Chelsea
Chelsea striker Nicolas Anelka has revealed he is keen to end his career at Stamford Bridge. The French forward joined the Blues in the January transfer window in a £15million move from Bolton.
"When I reflect on my career I have no regrets," Anelka told the Daily Mail. "It doesn't matter I have not always been at the biggest clubs. My time at City and at Bolton was wonderful. I met a lot of good people at both clubs.
"But I have travelled enough and I would like to settle at Chelsea."
Montella frustrated by injuries
Vincenzo Montella's return to Sampdoria's first team has been dogged by injury and the former Italy forward admits he won't be back on the field of play for a while yet.
Montella received a hero's welcome when he made the move after spells at Roma and Fulham, but has barely featured due to fitness worries.
"I still need time before I can get back on the playing field. After all, I am one of the most operated-on players in Serie A," said Montella.
Keegan banking on Martins
Kevin Keegan is excited by the chance to unleash £10 million striker Obafemi Martins on Newcastle's fellow Premier League strugglers.
The 23-year-old Nigeria striker remains the the club's leading scorer this season despite being marginalised by former manager Sam Allardyce as well as missing games while on African Nations Cup duty.
Keegan said: "He excites me very much as a player. He is very, very different to anything that not only have we got at this football club, but probably in the Premier League.
"He has got a lot of things going for him that you do not see every day on a training ground. I am delighted to have him back and he is fit again."
Roma will test United, says Capello
England manager Fabio Capello has warned Roma could provide a tough test for Manchester United when the two teams meet in the last eight of the Champions League.
Capello believes Friday's draw which paired Roma with United was not a bad result for the only Italian team left in Europe's elite club competition.
"I believe that among the four English sides that Roma could have been drawn with, they have been paired with the team that will better suit them to express their own football," Capello said.
"I am certain we will see a different Roma, being more organised on the pitch and one that will do much better."
Chechnya makes top flight return
Chechnya hosted its first top-flight match in 14 years on Friday, a game President Ramzan Kadyrov hailed as a sign the region was returning to normality after a decade of war.
Terek lost at home to Krylya Sovietov Samara 3-0, disappointing a capacity crowd in the renovated Sultan Belimkhanov stadium in Chechnya's capital Grozny, a city left devastated by the fighting between Moscow and separatist rebels.
The Russian league match was watched by pro-Kremlin President Kadyrov whose father Akhmad, also a leader of the region, was assassinated in a bomb explosion in the same stadium just under four years ago.
Kezman pleased to draw Chelsea
Serbia striker Mateja Kezman was happy Fenerbahce drew his former club Chelsea in the Champions League quarter-finals.
"I am glad we are up against Chelsea, they were second on my wish list before the draw (on Friday)," Kezman told reporters.
"I would have preferred German side Schalke because they might be somewhat easier opposition but I'll be delighted to play at Stamford Bridge again."