Former Roma forward Abel Balbo has reversed his decision to leave Serie B side Treviso after quitting as coach in less than a day because of supporter and player unrest over the running of the club.

"Initially the conditions were not there (to take over), now they are," the Argentine said.

"The president has promised the club will function normally, above all from an economic viewpoint."

On Wednesday, Balbo told reporters that he was coach of the team for "just a few minutes".

Juventus to step up Diego chase

Werder Bremen forward Diego is set to open transfer discussions with Juventus, according to Tuttosport.

The 23-year-old Brazilian was in Italy yesterday as Werder Bremen played Milan in the UEFA Cup.

Reports claimed that Djair da Cunha, Diego's father who also acts as his agent, also travelled to Italy ahead of a meeting with Juventus.

Bild heightened the speculation about Diego's future after reporting that Juventus had made an £18m bid for the former Santos starlet earlier this year.

Werder are believed to be holding out for a deal totalling £20m.

Gudjonsson to stand for parliament

Former Iceland international and Bundesliga player Thordur Gudjonsson has announced plans to stand for his country's parliament.

The 35-year-old midfielder, who now plays for his home club Akranes, will stand in the Independence Party's western Iceland primary on March 21, where party members vote to rank candidates to fill any seats they win in the April 25 parliamentary election.

"I've been set on a career in politics for a long time, but it's only now when I've moved back to Iceland that I have the opportunity to do it," Gudjonsson, who spent 13 years playing abroad before returning home in 2006, said.

"I have strong backing in my age group, but it remains to be seen how I do among the older voters."

Amauri incensed by Gattuso comments

Juventus striker Amauri has hit back at Gennaro Gattuso over the latter's comments that he should play for Brazil rather than Italy.

"First he waited for Brazil, but we aren't Azerbaijan or Finland, we are Italy," Gattuso said about Amauri's hesitancy to make a decision on his future.

"We have won four World Cups and don't envy anyone. It's only right that Amauri plays for Brazil."

Faced with Gattuso's comments, Amauri replied: "Frankly, I don't care about what Gattuso has said."

Italy coach Marcello Lippi recently said he would consider selecting Amauri but only after his citizenship has been granted.

Amauri received a late call-up from Brazil coach Dunga for this month's friendly against Italy but Juventus refused to release him.

Torres suffers ankle injury

Liverpool striker Fernando Torres is facing a spell on the sidelines after picking up an ankle injury during the first half of Wednesday night's 1-0 Champions League victory away to Real Madrid.

Torres soldiered on until the 61st minute of the first leg of the last 16 encounter when he was replaced by Dutch striker Ryan Babel.

Reds manager Rafael Benitez said the Spanish forward is likely to miss tomorrow's Premier League trip to Middlesbrough and the home meeting with Sunderland on Tuesday.

The Liverpool boss said: "Probably, he will miss some games. We have one game in three days' time (at Middlesbrough) so it will be difficult for him to be ready."

Hoffenheim duo submit reports to DFB

Hoffenheim duo Andreas Ibertsberger and Christoph Janker submitted statements to the German Football Federation (DFB) explaining why they were ten minutes late for last month's doping test.

The pair were late for a drugs test after Hoffenheim's 1-1 draw with Borussia Moenchengladbach on February 7 after attending a team meeting.

Although both produced negative tests, the pair are in hot water with the DFB for breaking doping regulations.

The DFB disciplinary committee must now decide whether to take action against Ibertsberger, who has 14 caps for Austria, and Janker, who is German.

Rovers to revive Lee interest

Blackburn Rovers are considering reviving their efforts to sign South Korea's Lee Keun-ho.

Lee had a trial with the Premier League strugglers last month but the 23-year-old rejected the offer, saying he would only join a club where he is guaranteed regular first-team football.

However, the South Korea international is still without a club after his contract with Daegu FC expired in December and reports suggest he is willing to reconsider his options.

Despite strong interest from South Korean teams, Lee maintained that his goal is to play in Europe and his agent has spoken to Blackburn, and other clubs in Spain and Belgium.

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