Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has told Stephen Ireland he is "an important player" for the club.
Ireland has found himself on the fringes under the Italian boss, making only 15 league starts this season, and he is again likely to be on the bench today when City face Fulham.
Mancini said: "I have a lot of respect for Stephen Ireland because he is a good player. In the week of the Chelsea game he had an injury. But now he has recovered and is ready to play.
"I have a number of options in midfield and Stephen is an important player for us."
Three PSG fans under investigation
Three Paris St Germain supporters suspected of taking part in the fatal beating of a fan have been placed under judicial investigation for alleged murder, the Paris prosecutor's office said yesterday.
The three were among four who were detained in custody following a beating that put a 38-year-old PSG fan in a coma before a game against Marseille on February 28. The fan died on Wednesday.
Under French law, being placed under investigation can lead to being formally charged and facing trial. A fourth supporter was released.
Since the incident, PSG have stopped selling tickets for away games and have been ordered to play two matches behind closed doors.
Sevilla's Sanchez to have heart op
Sevilla defender Sergio Sanchez will have heart surgery in Germany in a bid to save his professional career, the player told the La Liga club's website.
"The doctor has explained the risks involved with this type of operation, because it is a complicated procedure, but he made it clear they are little when compared with the possible benefits," Sanchez said.
"There is a good chance that I could continue my professional football career if everything goes as we hope."
The 23-year-old was ordered to stop playing by doctors at the beginning of January after being diagnosed with a heart condition.
Sydney claim title in shoot-out
Sydney claimed the A-League title with a 4-2 penalty shoot-out win over Melbourne Victory following a 1-1 draw in yesterday's grand final.
Mark Bridge's close-range header two minutes after the hour mark had put Sydney, who topped the table at the end of the regular season, ahead only for Adrian Leijer to equalise for defending champions Melbourne with nine minutes remaining.
In the shoot-out, Melbourne captain Kevin Muscat missed only for Victory keeper Mitchell Langerak to save from Shannon Cole and tie things up. But Sydney keeper Clint Bolton made the ultimately decisive save from Marvin Angulo as the Sky Blues emerged victorious.
Pompey crisis 'hurts' - Storrie
Peter Storrie has defended his part in Portsmouth's financial crisis, but amazingly revealed he was paid the same win bonus (£3,000) as the players.
Storrie, who earned a reported salary of £1.2 million, has stepped down as chief executive in the wake of the club going into administration.
"The responsibility is predominantly down to three owners in the last 15 months who haven't put finance in, but I'm always going to be known as the chief executive that took the first ever Premier League side into administration," Storrie said.
"That really hurts because I've done so much to keep the club alive. Last summer, I got an offer from a Premier League club for a lot more money but I couldn't leave."
Zola happy with owners' interest
Gianfranco Zola is adamant David Gold and David Sullivan are not compromising his role as West Ham manager by interfering in first-team affairs at Upton Park.
The former Birmingham owners rescued the Hammers from the brink of financial meltdown when they took control of the club in a £50 million deal in January.
Asked whether the duo had ever given him any suggestions about players or tactics, the Italian replied: "No, never. They never have done that.
"They like to know, they like me to explain what we are trying to do.
"I like that. They have been very good. One of the owners comes to see the preparation (on match days). I think that's normal."
FIGC chief craves Inter success
FIGC president Giancarlo Abete craves Champions League success for Inter after Juventus suffered "an ugly defeat for Italian football".
The Nerazzurri are the only Italian side left on the European stage in the quarter-finals, where they will meet Russian side CSKA Moscow, as Juve were knocked out of the Europa League 5-4 on aggregate to Fulham.
"The 4-1 at Fulham was an ugly defeat for Juventus, but also for Italian football and the UEFA ranking," Abete said.
"Now we need Inter to do very well for themselves in the Champions League, but also for Italian football, who risk sliding behind Germany in the ranking."