Baptista: Real Madrid forward Julio Baptista will be out of action for up to five weeks after injuring his knee in Wednesday's 4-1 Champions League victory over Rosenborg. Baptista will miss Real's return trip to face Rosenborg in two weeks time and up to five Primera Liga matches.

Giggs: Manchester United winger Ryan Giggs will need surgery on a cheekbone he fractured in their Champions League draw with Lille. Giggs suffered the injury in an aerial collision with Lille defender Stathis Tavlaridis in Tuesday's goalless Group D game at Old Trafford. United gave no indication as to when they expect the Welshman to return from the injury.

Henry: Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger will release striker Thierry Henry for France's friendly against Costa Rica in Martinique on Nov. 9 although he believes the match will harm both clubs and players. The game will be played three days before France face Germany in a friendly in Paris as part of their preparations for the 2006 World Cup finals.

Morocco: French coaches Didier Deschamps and Philippe Troussier have been approached by the Moroccan federation to take charge of the team in time for the African Nations Cup finals, officials said yesterday. Morocco are seeking a replacement for Badou Ezaki, who resigned earlier this week after the country's failure to qualify for the World Cup.

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