Cristiano Ronaldo is confident he will be back on the pitch sooner than expected despite being told he faces around a month on the sidelines.
Ronaldo returned to Real Madrid on Sunday after limping out of Portugal's 3-0 World Cup qualifying victory over Hungary and medical tests indicated he would be out of action for "three to four weeks".
The injury is on the same ankle he was operated on last year, but the world's most expensive player has reassured fans it is in no way related.
"I will work very hard to try to shorten the length of time I'm out, even though now what's important is to recuperate perfectly," Ronaldo said.
Hargreaves eager to repay fans' faith
Owen Hargreaves is confident he will soon return "better than ever" after more than a year out with a serious knee injury.
The 28-year-old Man. United midfielder was told by renowned surgeon Richard Steadman that his knee problems were among the worst he had seen in his career.
Surgery and 10 months of intensive rehabilitation followed in Colorado, but Hargreaves believes it was essential time well spent.
"The best is yet to come, and I just cannot wait to get back out there," Hargreaves said.
Hargreaves last played for United against Chelsea 13 months ago.
"To look back at where I was to where I am now is amazing," he said.
"I just want to have a great season. I cannot wait to pay back some of the faith the fans have shown me."
City may establish French link
Manchester City are considering linking up with French minnows Arles-Avignon, according to the Ligue 2 club's president.
Jean-Marc Conrad claims he has met several times with representatives from the English club with a view to agreeing a partnership and they are set for more talks on Thursday.
"At present we have met several times but nothing has yet been settled," Conrad said.
"We have agreed that Manchester City representatives will come visit our facilities, this will happen on Thursday. But it is still too early to talk about a partnership."
Italy goal felt like knockout blow
Shay Given felt as if Ireland had been dumped out of the World Cup when Italy snatched a famous victory from their grasp.
The Irish were within three minutes of a win which would have kept their hopes of automatic qualification alive at Croke Park on Saturday when sub Alberto Gilardino snatched a point for the Italians.
Given, who is in line to win his 100th cap against Montenegro tomorrow, said: "I know in all likelihood Italy probably would have beaten Cyprus, but it would have just put them under pressure and given us a real lift.
"To be honest, we all felt really low and it actually felt like we had been knocked out of the World Cup."
Barca believe Cesc will sign... one day
Barcelona sporting director Txiki Begiristain believes Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas will end up at the Nou Camp one day.
Fabregas, a Barca youth-team product, has long been linked with a return to the Catalan giants even though the player always maintained he is committed to seeing out his long-term contract.
Begiristain said: "He is a player with the Barca profile. He was born here. One day, he will end up playing at the Nou Camp, I'm sure."
Barca are expected to bolster their squad in January with Seydou Keita and Yaya Toure likely to be away on African Nations Cup duty.
Torino fan tops banner contest
The most amusing banner in Serie A last season was the one of a Torino supporter during the team's fight against relegation.
'At least I'm drunk' was the message on Eleonora Ingrassia's banner displayed in various stadiums as the Maroons struggled hard not to fall into Serie B.
The runner-up in the contest was a Milan fan who was making fun of Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's alleged relationship with teenage model Noemi, who revealed she referred to him as 'Papi' and had received lavish gifts.
The banner during the transfer window read: 'Papi, buy me Adebayor. Signed Noemi.'
The ruse didn't work and the striker went to Manchester City instead.
Drogba targets 2010 glory
Didier Drogba is desperate to showcase a different side of Africa at next year's World Cup finals after helping the Ivory Coast seal their place in South Africa with a 1-1 draw against Malawi at the weekend.
The Chelsea striker fittingly scored the decisive goal, helping the Elephants fight from a goal down to secure the point they needed to finish top of Group E.
"To make it to the final will not be easy but my team-mates and I want to make history and want to change the way the world sees African football," Drogba said.
"I hope that we'll be the team that is going to go to the final and win the competition."