Yakubu: Everton striker Yakubu Aiyegbeni will miss the rest of the season after rupturing his Achilles tendon in his side's 1-0 win at Tottenhan Hotspur yesterday. The Nigeria international lasted just 10 minutes at White Hart Lane before hobbling off. "Injuries happen in football but we're disappointed for Yak because he is really important for us and we will miss him," manager David Moyes said.
Dunn: Blackburn midfielder David Dunn could be back in action before January, manager Paul Ince has said. The 28-year-old began the season on a high, claiming Rovers' first goal of the campaign in their 3-2 win at Everton. But just a few days later Dunn was forced off in Blackburn's next league game against Hull. The Rovers vice-captain underwent an operation on his Achilles and has not featured since.
Bologna: Bologna have stepped up their pursuit of unsettled Inter stars. After signing out-of-contract winger Cesar, Bologna coach Sinisa Mihajlovic is keen to start talks for Mario Balotelli, Luis Jimenez and Nelson Rivas. "We had a general look at the landscape to understand who Inter could release in the January transfer window," Bologna directors said after a meeting between presidents Massimo Moratti and Francesca Menarini.
Chinese Super League: Shandong Luneng had Zhejiang to thank as they claimed their second Chinese Super League (CSL) title in three years with a 0-0 draw against Guangzhou yesterday. Shanghai Shenhua would have been champions on goal difference had they held on to a 2-1 lead over Zhejiang but Tan Yang's 76th minute equaliser handed Shandong their third title since the national league was started in 1994.
Primera Liga: Weekend results: Getafe vs Real Madrid 3-1; Sevilla vs Barcelona 0-3; Ath. Bilbao vs Numancia 2-0; Malaga vs Osasuna 4-2; Espanyol vs Sporting Gijon 0-1; Valladolid vs Real Mallorca 3-0; Rec. Huelva vs Villarreal 1-2; Almeria vs Deportivo 0-1; Valencia vs Real Betis 3-2; Atl. Madrid vs Rac. Santander 4-1. Leading standings: Barcelona 32; Villarreal 28; Valencia 27; Real Madrid 26; Sevilla 24; Atl. Madrid, Deportivo 21; Valladolid 19.
Ligue 1: Nancy vs St Etienne 1-2; Toulouse vs Marseille 0-0; Stade Rennes vs Paris SG 1-0. Leading standings: Lyon 34; Rennes 29; Marseille, Nice 28; Bordeaux, PSG, Toulouse 26.
Horse racing: Six times champion jockey Kieren Fallon has been given the go-ahead to return to racing next September after the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) said it would not object to him reapplying for his licence. The BHA said that it had concluded its investigation into laying activity (betting on horses to lose) on 27 races in 2003 and 2004 involving horses ridden by Fallon, Dean McKeown and Dean Mernagh. Fallon is currently serving an 18-month doping ban.
Basket, NBA: New York Knicks guard Stephon Marbury was suspended for one game and will forfeit close to $400,000 in salary after refusing to play against the Detroit Pistons. Marbury was banned for the game against the Golden State Warriors at the weekend without pay and his salary will be docked further for refusing to play on Wednesday.
Golf: Japanese schoolboy Ryo Ishikawa became the youngest player to win 100 million yen in a season on Japan's professional tour at the Casio World Open yesterday. The 17-year-old finished tied for 13th to pass the "million dollar" barrier.