Valencia: Debt-ridden Valencia's survival is a miracle and they may be forced to sell their top players, vice-president Javier Gomez said. Valencia, who have debts of more than €500 million, were bailed out by the regional government when they agreed to guarantee a loan of €74 million in August. Gomez said the club needed to find another €44 million this season and did not rule out selling David Villa and David Silva.

Cudicini: Carlo Cudicini is expected to make a full recovery from injuries he sustained in a motorcycle accident last Thursday, Tottenham assistant manager Kevin Bond said yesterday. "It's going to take some time, he will be on crutches for a period of time and no doubt he'll be in hospital for a good few days yet," Bond told Sky Sports News.

Vieri: Christian Vieri is on the verge of sealing a move to Brazilian third division club Boavista for $50,000 per month. The former Italy striker had announced he was hanging up his boots to become a professional poker player earlier this year. However, website Globoesporte.com claimed Vieri touched down in Rio de Janeiro yesterday in order to sign a contract with Boavista.

Atletico: Atletico Madrid have signed a partnership deal with Chinese side Shanghai Shenhua that aims to promote both clubs and exploit marketing opportunities. The agreement also foresees the exchange of players and clinics for coaches from both clubs.

Athletics: Russia's Inga Abitova won the Yokohama Women's International Marathon yesterday, overshadowing the Beijing Olympic gold and silver medallists. Last year's Olympic champion Constantina Dita, of Romania, trailed in a distant 10th while Kenyan Catherine Ndereba finished third. Abitova, a 10,000m specialist, broke clear from the leading group from the 30-kilometre mark to win in a time of two hours, 27 minutes, 18 seconds.

Rugby League: England rugby league coach Tony Smith has announced his resignation following his team's 46-16 defeat by Australia on Saturday in the Four Nations final. "I'm stepping down... even if we had won last night I'd still have stepped down," the 42-year-old said yesterday. "I must consider my family's needs as well as my own, and therefore believe now is the right time to stand down." Smith will continue as head coach of Warrington.

Cricket: The International Cricket Council (ICC) is considering a proposal to relocate its headquarters back to London from Dubai, according to a report yesterday. Shashank Manohar, president of the Indian board, made the proposal at the last executive board meeting in October and the idea had garnered support.

Boxing: Aspiring rabbi Yuri Foreman became the first Israeli to win a world title with a unanimous points victory over Daniel Santos to claim the WBA super welterweight crown. The 28-year-old, who was born in Belarus, emigrated to Israel and is now based in Brooklyn, outboxed his Puerto Rican opponent to gain one-sided verdicts from all three judges - by 116-110, 117-109 and 117-109.