Keane: Clyde manager Graham Roberts says former Man. United captain Roy Keane can expect stiff competition if, as expected, he makes his Celtic debut in a Scottish FA Cup third round clash on Sunday. "Roy has got better as he's got older," he said. "He will make Scottish football that little bit stronger. But he will know he has been in a game come the end of Sunday's match, I can assure you of that."
Nonda: Democratic Republic of Congo captain Shabani Nonda will miss a second successive African Nations Cup finals tournament due to a knee injury. His place in a preliminary 28-man squad announced by Congo coach Claude LeRoy has been taken by Calvin Zola of Tranmere Rovers.
Africa Award: The Confederation of African Football will decide later this month on a new date to announce the African Footballer of the Year award after abruptly postponing next Monday's scheduled ceremony in Abuja, Nigeria. CAF said its executive committee would decide on a new date when they meet in Cairo on January 16.
West Ham: West Ham United have taken Japan midfielder Mitsuo Ogasawara on a week's trial. The talented Ogasawara plays for Kashima Antlers but is keen to play in England.
In France: Ligue 1 - Auxerre vs Monaco 2-1.
Italian Serie C1 (B): Napoli vs Grosseto 1-1.
¤ Martina Hingis's path to the Australian hardcourt title cleared dramatically yesterday when she survived a tough quarter-final and top seed Patty Schnyder was knocked out. Five-times grand slam champion Hingis was forced into a third set by Spain's Nuria Llagostera Vives before running out a 6-2 4-6 6-0 winner. In the last singles match on centre court, Czech Lucie Safarova then beat Schnyder 6-4 6-3 to end the Swiss's title defence. Hingis will meet fourth-seeded Flavia Pennetta in the semis after the Italian overcame Tatiana Golovin of France 6-2 5-7 6-3. Safarova will meet Dinara Safina in the semis after the Russian beat Spain's Anabel Garrigues 6-1 6-3.
¤ World number four Lleyton Hewitt's preparations for the Australian Open took a hit with a surprise defeat by Germany's Philipp Kohlschreiber in the second round of the Australian hardcourt championships yesterday. Hewitt, the top seed in his home town of Adelaide, lost 6-3 0-6 7-5 to the 22-year-old German who will now face Czech sixth seed Tomas Berdych in the quarter-finals after the latter beat rising British hope Andy Murray 7-6 4-6 6-1. Second seed Dominik Hrbaty of Slovakia ended the brief revival of Mark Philippoussis when he beat the former world number eight, 3-6 6-4 6-1.