Kuyt: Dutch striker Dirk Kuyt will miss this month's Euro 2008 qualifiers against Romania and Slovenia because of a hamstring injury, the Dutch FA said yesterday. PSV striker Danny Koevermans will replace Kuyt in the squad for the match against Romania on Saturday and against Slovenia on Oct. 17.

Del Piero: Alessandro Del Piero wished Italy well for Saturday's game against Georgia in Genoa despite being left out of Roberto Donadoni's squad for the Euro 2008 Group B qualifier. "I'm sorry that I'm not part of the squad for Italy-Georgia. Good luck to Italy," the 32-year-old Juventus captain wrote on his website (www.alessandrodelpiero.com).

Ronaldo: Milan aim to have Ronaldo back from injury for their next Serie A match, at home to Empoli later this month. The Brazilian has not played for the European champions this season because of a thigh problem he suffered in July. "We hope to end this ordeal after the international break and see him on the field on the 21st," Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani said.

Russia-England tickets: Thousands of fans stood in rain for more than five hours yesterday to buy tickets for next week's Euro 2008 qualifier between Russia and England. Because of the security arrangements, only 74,000 seats have been made available at the 84,000 Luzhniki Stadium. But with most tickets being distributed through clubs and organisations, only about 6,500 went on sale on Monday morning.

Bruce: Birmingham City manager Steve Bruce fears for his job if the prospective takeover by Chinese businessman Carson Yeung goes through. "I'm disappointed because I agreed something four or five months ago and (chairman) Mr Sullivan to be fair to him agreed that and tried to make it go through," Bruce said. "But at the moment it doesn't look like it's going to so I accept that. I'm very disappointed about it."

Stoichkov: Celta Vigo have sacked former Bulgaria coach Hristo Stoichkov after just six months in the post, a spokesman for the Spanish second division side confirmed yesterday. Spanish media reported former Real Madrid and Levante coach Juan Ramon Lopez Caro was favourite to take over at the club.

In England: The Championship - QPR vs Norwich 1-0.

In Italy: Serie C1 (B) - Taranto vs Pescara 1-1.

MFA Division Three: Pembroke vs Gzira 1-0; Mdina vs Fgura 0-2.

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