Eriksson: Sven-Goran Eriksson picked 35-year-old striker Cuauhtemoc Blanco in his Mexico squad for their CONCACAF World Cup third round qualifiers starting at home to Honduras next Wednesday. "I think he can still give a lot to the national team," former England manager Eriksson said after announcing his 25-man squad for his debut as Mexico coach, having been appointed in June as Hugo Sanchez's successor. Blanco, who plays for Chicago Fire in Major League Soccer, was last called up by Mexico for the Copa America last year.
Wales vs Georgia: Wednesday's friendly between Wales and Georgia is set to go ahead at Swansea as planned despite Russia's conflict with its neighbour. The home-based players in Georgia's squad have arrived in neighbouring Azerbaijan to obtain their visas for the match which they were unable to process in Tbilisi as the British embassy has been closed, the FA of Wales said yesterday. Georgia are scheduled to open their World Cup qualifying campaign against Ireland in Tbilisi on Sept. 6 before playing world champions Italy at Udine four days later.
Alves: Barcelona full-back Daniel Alves injured his shoulder in Wednesday's 4-0 Champions League third qualifying round first leg victory over Wisla Krakow. The Brazil international will miss the annual Hans Gamper Trophy match against Boca Juniors tomorrow and is doubtful for the return leg against Wisla on August 27.
Babic: Croatia midfielder Marko Babic has been told by Real Betis he is surplus to requirements, the Spanish Primera Liga club said. Babic was signed from Bayer Leverkusen last year but only made five league starts for the team. He has been linked in the Spanish media with a move to Monaco.
Grygera: Juventus right-back Zdenek Grygera has been given the all-clear in medical tests yesterday. The Czech sustained a head injury in Wednesday's 4-0 Champions League win over Artmedia Bratislava, the Serie A club said.
Hoyte: Middlesbrough have had a bid accepted for Justin Hoyte. The 23-year-old Arsenal full-back is a graduate of the Gunners academy but has struggled to establish himself in the first team. If the deal goes ahead, Hoyte would be a replacement for Luke Young, who left Boro last week to join Aston Villa.
Portsmouth: The English FA have charged FA Cup holders Portsmouth and agent Willie McKay for breaching their rules over the transfer of Zimbabwe striker Benjani Mwaruwari to and from the club. In a statement, Portsmouth said they strongly denied the charges. McKay told Sky Sports News he had breached the rules by mistake but accused the FA of waging "a witch-hunt" against him. Under the FA's Football Agents Regulations, agents are prohibited from acting for two different clubs in two consecutive transactions involving the same player.