Wilhelmsson: Sweden midfielder Christian Wilhelmsson is out of Euro 2008 because of a hamstring injury. "Christian has torn a hamstring and will be out for the rest of the finals," team doctor Anders Valentin told reporters yesterday before adding the injury would take at least three weeks to heal. Coach Lars Lagerback said no decision had been made on whether Wilhelmsson would remain with the squad or return home.
Villa: Spain striker David Villa sustained a bizarre injury to his finger while celebrating his first goal in the 4-1 win over Russia on Tuesday. The 26-year-old, who trained with a bandaged finger on his right hand yesterday, suffered the injury after running over to hug team-mate Fernando Torres who had set him up to score. "I got my finger caught in Fernando's shirt when we were celebrating the goal and bent it back," Villa said.
Mokoena: Blackburn Rovers defender Aaron Mokoena will have to pass a late fitness test if he is to accompany South Africa on their trip to Sierra Leone for Saturday's World Cup qualifier in Freetown, officials said. Mokoena suffered an injury last Saturday when South Africa beat Equatorial Guinea 4-1 in their Group Four encounter.
Nakamura: Celtic midfielder Shunsuke Nakamura could be a doubt for Japan's World Cup qualifier with Thailand on Saturday after suffering a recurring ankle injury. The 30-year-old has trained lightly this week in Bangkok, with his ankle strapped up as a precaution, but coach Takeshi Okada is confident he will recover in time for the game, Japan's penultimate match of the round.
Benin: Frenchman Michel Dussuyer has signed a two-year deal to coach Benin, taking over in the middle of four successive World Cup qualifying matches. The Benin Football Federation confirmed a deal that would keep Dussuyer in the post until July 2010.
Dimitrov: Bulgaria midfielder Velizar Dimitrov has joined Ukrainian first division side Metalurg Donetsk from Bulgarian champions CSKA Sofia. The 29-year-old Dimitrov, who scored four goals in 21 matches for Bulgaria, signed a two-year contract with an option for one more year.
Faye: Newcastle United defender Abdoulaye Diagne Faye will miss Sunday's World Cup qualifier for Senegal away against Liberia after suffering a muscle strain, Senegal officials said. Reading defender Ibrahima Sonko has been named as his replacement as the Senegalese prepare in Abidjan before moving on to Monrovia for the weekend's match.
Galatasaray: Turkish champions Galatasaray have appointed former Bayer Leverkusen coach Michael Skibbe as their new coach. The Istanbul team, which won the Turkish league for the 17th time this year, said Skibbe had signed a one-year contract with an option for another year. The 42-year-old replaces German Karl-Heinz Feldkamp, who resigned in April citing differences with the management.