Greek side Aris Salonika were forced to pulp programmes for this week’s Europa League tie with Manchester City after a spoof photograph showing an all-star City line-up was mistakenly included.
It was reported that Aris officials searching online for a team photo of the English side inadvertently stumbled upon a doctored picture of an expanded City squad featuring virtually every star on the planet.
As well as City’s usual line-up, the picture included, among others, Lionel Messi, Fernando Torres, Wayne Rooney and Kaka.
City officials spotted the error while attending a pre-match function in Greece.
Inler focusing solely on Udinese
Gokhan Inler has been repeatedly linked with a move away from Udinese this season but the Swiss international said he is fully focused on his team.
“These reports about me going to Napoli has been going since last summer but until June there is only Udinese,” he said.
“I haven’t signed anything with anyone. You always have to improve. Everything goes so quickly in football.”
Regarding his future, Inler said: “We’ll see what happens when an opportunity arrives. My agent does everything and I trust him blindly.”
Owen injury not serious – Ferguson
Man. United manager Alex Ferguson has played down fears Michael Owen will be sidelined for an extended period after sustaining a groin injury in training this week.
Reports had suggested the 31-year-old could miss the remainder of the season but Ferguson insists the damage is not serious and while Owen will miss today’s FA Cup tie with Crawley, he could be available for Wednesday’s Champions League trip to Marseille.
“Michael suffered a small injury which will force him out this week,” said Ferguson.
“It is disappointing because I was going to play him but there is no point taking a risk and he could be available for the Marseille game.”
Ireland makes progress after injury
Newcastle loanee Stephen Ireland is eyeing a return to full training by the end of next week. The midfielder, who joined from Aston Villa on a deal until the end of season on transfer deadline day, has yet to feature for his new club due to a knee injury.
The 24-year-old revealed he had been expecting to return early in March, but encouraging progress this week means his recovery is now ahead of schedule.
“We thought it would be a couple of weeks,” Ireland said.
“But this week I went running outside at a decent level and decent pace, and I reckon it could be by the end of next week hopefully.
“I’ve just got to do a few more sessions and then see how far I can push it. If it goes well then I could be back soon.”
Dalglish will be patient with Cole
Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish insists Joe Cole will be given all the time he needs to rediscover his best form after a disappointing and disjointed start to his Reds career.
The former Chelsea midfielder made his first appearance under Dalglish, and his first in a red shirt since January 5, as a substitute in Thursday night’s goalless Europa League draw against Sparta Prague.
It was only the 29-year-old’s 19th game for the club he joined in the summer as a result of suspension and, more lately, hamstring and knee injuries.
“We have got to be patient with Joe. That his first run out since I came here,” said Dalglish.
“That is a great start for him, to get himself on the pitch and get an hour won’t do him any harm. Joe is a valuable asset for us.”
Ricketts woe for Bolton Wanderers
Bolton’s injury problems mounted yesterday after it was confirmed defender Sam Ricketts will miss the remainder of the season with a ruptured Achilles tendon.
Bolton boss Owen Coyle’s defensive options had already been limited after centre-half Zat Knight was ruled out for four to six weeks with an ankle trouble.
Wales international Ricketts is expected to be sidelined for six months after sustaining the injury in this week’s FA Cup replay win at Wigan.
Coyle said: “It was very innocuous in terms that he sustained the injury by tracking the winger. He put his foot down and stumbled so it is very unfortunate.”
Jordan rubbishes Gattuso claims
Tottenham coach Joe Jordan has rubbished claims by Gennaro Gattuso that a racist remark was to blame for the Milan midfielder’s headbutt on the Scot.
Gattuso has been charged with “gross unsporting conduct” by UEFA after headbutting former Milan striker Jordan following Spurs’ 1-0 win on Tuesday.
Gattuso’s agent Claudio Pas-qualin claimed Jordan had called him an “Italian bastard” but the Scot has rubbished allegations.
“To come up with something like that is pathetic,” Jordan said.
“It is utterly untrue. He doesn’t realise I consider playing for Milan the proudest time of my career, that my daughter lives and works in Italy and that I love the country and the people.
“It’s just a nonsense, it really is.”