Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas is confident he will be fit to play for Spain at the World Cup. The 22-year-old midfielder has been out of action since suffering a cracked bone in his fibula on March 31 and will not feature again for the Gunners this season.
Fabregas is set to visit a specialist in London this week, with the player expecting to then step up his rehabilitation work ahead of Spain's opening match in South Africa.
Fabregas said: "I am back in Spain at the moment, but I will be at the last game of the season, of course, because all the players will go on a lap of the pitch.
"In my mind, it is 100% that I will be over my injury in time for the World Cup."
Our minds were on Inter - Pep
Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola was relieved to see his side beat Xerez 3-1 on Saturday and admitted his players had been distracted in the build-up by thoughts of Wednesday's clash against Inter.
Guardiola watched on nervously as the champions struggled to cling onto their 2-1 lead early in the second half against bottom team Xerex. But calm was restored with the hosts' decisive third goal, scored by Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Guardiola said: "It was a dangerous game because however much you prepare tactically, your mind is on last Tuesday's match (3-1 defeat the San Siro) and the one we will play on Wednesday against Inter," he said.
Dowie in dark over Hull future
Hull manager Iain Dowie admits his future is out of his hands after a 1-0 defeat against Sunderland pushed the Tigers to the brink of relegation.
Dowie was brought in last month following Phil Brown's sacking with the task of keeping the Tigers up, but his failure to deliver could lead to his release when his contract expires at the end of the season.
"I'm bitterly disappointed. It's a dark dressing room in there. It's very disappointing," Dowie said.
"It's not a decision for me (whether he stays). I've never walked away from a challenge in my life. It is a huge challenge here but it's one the powers that be will have a decision to make."
Bayern will win title, says Lahm
Bayern Munich's stand-in captain Philipp Lahm says the German giants will win their 22nd league title and stay on course for the treble.
After Saturday's 1-1 draw with B. M'gladbach, Bayern are top of the Bundesliga, but level on 64 points with Schalke 04, who beat Hertha Berlin 1-0 in the capital.
Lahm's side face strugglers Bochum next Saturday at home before travelling to bottom side Hertha Berlin for the season's final league game on May 8.
"As long as we only focus on ourselves, we'll win the league," said Lahm, after the draw having stood in for captain Mark van Bommel.
"There are two games to go and we're still top."
Torres: Premier could finish me
Liverpool striker Fernando Torres fears playing in the Premier League could damage his health for life. The 26-year-old, in his third season at Anfield, is currently sidelined with a knee surgery and battling to be fit to represent Spain at the World Cup.
"The Premier League is such a tough competition and I have always admired this championship," he said.
"This is my third season and I'm still amazed to see Gerrard, Rooney and Lampard, players who have been here a long time, still playing at such a high level and with such impressive rhythm because the English league really wears down a player.
"I just can't imagine what state I'll be in within five or six years if I continue to play here."
Messi's the best, says Rooney
Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney has named Barcelona forward Lionel Messi as the best player in the world.
Rooney has been virtually ruled out for the rest of the season after picking up a groin injury in training last week, but that will be seen as a blip on an otherwise sterling personal 2010 campaign.
However, Rooney believes that at world level, Messi is untouchable.
"It's nice that people put me up there but I think Lionel Messi is the best in the world," Rooney told United Review.
"The things he can do with the ball are unbelievable and he is scoring a lot of goals as well. He has been fantastic again this year. He is the best player in the world."
Ogasawara offers to pay for own flight
Japanese midfielder Mitsuo Ogasawara has offered to pay his own way to South Africa in order to compete at a third World Cup finals.
The 31-year-old scored one goal and set up another in Kashima's 3-1 J-League victory at Yokohama on Saturday to revive his claim for a place in Japan's squad.
The J-League player of the year has been overlooked by Japan coach Okada since being recalled for the first time in over three years in February.
"I realise it's tough for me but I'm not pinning everything on making the first team," Ogasawa said.
"But if I can get into the squad in a back-up role I would be happy to... I'd pay my own money to get there."