Serie A club Lecce have signed Greece international Dimitris Papadopoulos on a free transfer.

The former Panathinaikos striker will join the promoted outfit in the winter transfer window, the Italian outfit have confirmed.

The 27-year-old, who was a member of Greece's triumphant Euro 2004 squad, will play in Italy's top flight after six years at Panathinaikos.

Papadopoulos left the Greek giants after being at odds with coach Jose Peseiro and the home fans.

Van Nistelrooy vows to come back

Real Madrid striker Ruud van Nistelrooy has vowed to fight back from a career-threatening knee injury and return to action next season.

The 32-year-old Dutchman had surgery on his right knee this week in the United States and told yesterday's Marca newspaper that his career would have been over without it.

"If they hadn't put me in the operating theatre, football would have been finished for me," he said in an interview with the paper in Colorado where the operation was conducted.

"It's a long time to be out but there was no other way," he added. "The injury is serious."

Drug test plan fair, says Ferdinand

Man. United defender Rio Ferdinand has spoken favourably about the Football Association's plans for tougher drug testing in football.

The proposals, which would bring football in line with other sports, would require players to inform authorities of their location for one hour each day and would involve drug testing at their homes.

Ferdinand, who served an eight-month ban for missing a drugs test in 2003, said: "I think it sounds fair. If it brings us up to the level of all the other sportsmen, then I'm in favour. It's good.

"We get tested quite a lot anyway. A lot of players get tested three or four times a season so it would be no different to what we're used to."

PFA back calls for homegrown quota

Professional Footballers' Association chief executive Gordon Taylor has added his voice to calls to introduce a quota of homegrown academy players to improve England's chances of success.

On Thursday, the English FA's director of football development Sir Trevor Brooking expressed concern about the development of England's next generation of top players, partly due to the growing presence of foreigners in Premier League academies.

"The way forward would be to have a ruling where you have eight out of the first-team squad of 25 from development programmes in England, whether they be from that squad or from another one in England," Taylor said.

"Either that or three or four players in the first team should have come through the academy system. That way at least the English players would be able to play more."

Moratti retains faith in Adriano

Inter owner Massimo Moratti has rebuffed suggestions that Adriano's days at the Serie A club are numbered.

The Brazilian's future has become the subject of much speculation after he recently turned up late for training and reported sick earlier this week.

But Moratti told Italian media that he still believes in Adriano and has no intention of letting him leave.

"You journalists have created the real chaos surrounding Adriano," Moratti claimed.

"At Inter, we have never had any negative thoughts about him. Adriano is a great lad and a great player, even if he can be a bit fragile at times."

Allardyce eyes return to management

Former Bolton manager Sam Allardyce wants to find a club which matches his ambition as he prepares to resume his managerial career.

Allardyce has been without a job since quitting as Newcastle boss at the start of the year and has been linked with several positions in recent months.

"I just want a club that has a great ambition to be successful," Allardyce said.

"My life is about trying to win a football match whenever that football match comes around. The only time I'm ever happy is when we've won, and even then I'm never satisfied.

"So, I need to go somewhere that has that ambition to go and achieve some results and achieve some success."

Sacchi linked with UAE job

Former Milan and Italy coach Arrigo Sacchi could take over as coach of the United Arab Emirates national team, according to reports.

The 62-year-old was seen watching the UAE players train in Dubai on Wednesday evening and The National newspaper reported that Sacchi has already come to a financial agreement with the UAE Football Association.

Dominique Bathenay is currently in charge of the team after the resignation of former Senegal boss Bruno Metsu.

Sacchi led Italy between 1991 and 1996 and took the Azzurri to the final of the 1994 World Cup in the US.