Brazilian defender Fabio Aurelio has been re-signed by Liverpool, just two months after being told he had no future at the Premier League club.
The 30-year-old left in May, but manager Roy Hodgson offered him the chance to train with the Reds in a bid to earn a return and he has now been offered a two-year contract.
"I asked the club to find out whether Fabio had found a new club. When we ascertained that he hadn't, we invited him back so we could properly assess the player," Hodgson told www.liverpoolfc.tv.
"We were very impressed and I am delighted we were able to re-sign Fabio."
Hart pondering loan option
Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart admits he would consider going out on loan again if he does not get regular first-team football.
Hart spent last year at Birmingham with Shay Given occupying the goalkeeper's spot at Eastlands but has returned to City for the new season.
He is ready to fight Given for the number one jersey but admits the prospect of sitting on the bench is unappetising.
"It doesn't really interest me if I'm honest, I've played a lot of football now and that's all I want to do," he told Five Live's Sportsweek.
Asked whether he would consider another loan move, Hart said: "It wouldn't be up to me, Manchester City are in charge of me at the moment but if I wasn't playing, I suppose I would have to reconsider."
Villa warns 'Pool over Torres
David Villa believes this season is Liverpool's "last chance" to keep Fernando Torres and admits he is surprised his Spain team-mate has not joined Chelsea this summer.
Villa expected Torres to move on after Liverpool finished a lowly seventh last season and failed to qualify for the Champions League.
"I am actually a little surprised. It looks like Nando is staying," Villa said.
"This is Liverpool's last chance to keep him. They have to prove they are capable of challenging on all fronts this season, otherwise he will be gone."
Balotelli must grow up - Eto'o
Inter striker Samuel Eto'o has warned team-mate and reported Manchester City target Mario Balotelli he "must sort some things out in his head" to fulfil his potential.
City are seemingly keen to bring the hot-headed young striker to Eastlands this summer for a fee of around £25 million while Inter are thought to be willing to let Balotelli go after a string of fall-outs with team-mates and management.
"He has the potential to go on and be one of the best players in the world but he must sort some things out in his head," Eto'o said.
"The older players at Inter have always tried to advise him. I am not sure how successfully but, if he is to be a success and not waste his career he must listen to the players at Manchester City."
Allegri rules out Beckham return
Milan manager Massimiliano Allegri admits David Beckham is unlikely to return to the San Siro for another loan spell.
Beckham was at the Emirates Stadium to watch his former team-mates draw 1-1 with Arsenal in a pre-season friendly on Saturday, but the veteran England midfielder has been sidelined since March with a ruptured Achilles and Allegri doesn't expect him to feature again for the Italian giants.
"I don't think so. He is now recovering from a very bad injury and at that age I think it is very difficult to come back," Allegri said.
"But it has been a great pleasure to see him here."
Hangeland relishing Hughes appointment
Fulham central defender Brede Hangeland is looking forward to working with new manager Mark Hughes.
Hughes will be unveiled at Craven Cottage tomorrow and the 29-year-old Norwegian is pleased the club have found a replacement for Roy Hodgson, who left for Liverpool earlier in the summer.
Hangeland said: "He knows what we can do and we're looking forward to working with him.
"We're really happy to have a manager. I think we've got some good players and hopefully he can move us along in the right direction.
"We've always been a team and hopefully we can still be under his guidance."
Niang not for sale - Marseille
Marseille have told Turkish giants Fenerbahce in no uncertain terms that Senegalese striker Mamadou Niang is not for sale.
Reports in the Turkish press claimed yesterday that Niang is set to complete an eight-million euros move to the Istanbul side, with a contract offer of three to four years worth €2.5 million annually.
Marseille president Jean-Claude Dassier admitted that Niang's agents had been in Turkey recently. But he said that the striker, whose league-topping 18 goals helped the south-coast side to a long-awaited league crown in 2010, features strongly in coach Didier Deschamps plans this season.
"Mamadou is at the club and he will be staying here," Dassier said.
"I've spoken to Didier (Deschamps) on Saturday evening and the message can't be any clearer: it is out of the question to sell (Niang) only a week before the league starts up again."