Prandelli: Fiorentina coach Cesare Prandelli has agreed a two-year extension to his contract. Prandelli has guided Fiorentina to third place in the league after an excellent start to the season. The former Parma coach arrived on a one-year contract after Fiorentina only avoided relegation on the final day of last season.

Dudek: Goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek has been told he will not be allowed to leave Liverpool. Dudek has lost his place to Pepe Reina and spoke about leaving Anfield. "We are happy with Jerzy," Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez said. "He has a contract, has to stay and we want him to stay."

Xavi: Barcelona and Spain midfielder Xavi will be out of action for around six months after knee surgery that could threaten his participation in next year's World Cup finals. The 25-year-old tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee during training.

Solskjaer: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, 32, is set to return for Man. United in a reserve game next week after missing most of the last two seasons through injury. Solskjaer, who famously scored United's stoppage-time winner in their 1999 European Cup final triumph against Bayern Munich, is set to turn out in Monday's reserves game against Liverpool.

Vucicevic: Nemanja Vucicevic of German second division side 1860 Munich was suspended for six months after testing positive for Finasteride. Vucicevic tested positive after a 2-0 win over Wacker Burghausen on Nov. 4. Club managing director Roland Kneissl blamed the positive test on a hair tonic used by the player.

In England: FA Cup 2nd round - Mansfield vs Grays A. 3-0; Port Vale vs Bristol R 1-1.

In Italy: Serie C1/B - Perugia vs Napoli 1-0.

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