Richards: Roberto Mancini has insisted Manchester City defender Micah Richards is staying at Eastlands, claiming the youngster is an important part of his plans. Reports suggest Harry Redknapp is preparing a bid to take the England international to Tottenham. "How could I afford to lose Micah? We have only four fit defenders at the moment," Mancini said. "Anyway, I rate him very highly, he has played for England and has great potential for the future."
Materazzi: Inter defender Marco Materazzi has had minor arthroscopic surgery on his right knee, the Serie A leaders said. The 36-year-old is likely to be out for a month, adding to coach Jose Mourinho's problems in defence with Davide Santon injured and Cristian Chivu recovering from a fractured skull.
Kapo: Wigan forward Olivier Kapo has joined French Ligue 1 side Boulogne on loan until the end of the season. The Frenchman has made just one substitute appearance in the Premier League this season after sustaining a serious knee injury during the pre-season tour to Austria. Kapo, who was one of former manager Steve Bruce's signings from Birmingham in 2008, has not figured in the first team squad since early December.
Algeria: Algeria's first-choice goalkeeper Lounes Gaouaoui is out of the African Nations Cup finals after suffering appendicitis, the Algerian Football Federation said yesterday. Gaouaoui, one of the heroes of his country's surprise qualification for the 2010 World Cup finals, has been sent home for treatment.
Rallying: Renault's Formula One driver Robert Kubica will compete in the Monte Carlo Rally later this month behind the wheel of a Renault Clio R3, the Automobile Club de Monaco (ACM) has confirmed. The Polish driver has already contested two rallies with Renault since he left the BMW Formula One team at the end of last season.
Formula One: The new US F1 team will make their test debut in Alabama early next month before joining rivals in Europe, sporting director Peter Windsor said. "Because we are a new team and start everything from zero, the first time we will run the car will be in the United States at the Barber Motorsport Park in Alabama," he said.
Alpine skiing: Italian slalom specialist Giorgio Rocca has ruled himself out of February's Vancouver Olympics and confirmed his retirement after a groin injury in training. "I would have wanted to finish my career in another way. I admit it, I believed an Olympic medal was possible," the 34-year-old, who won 11 World Cup races and the 2006 overall slalom title, said.