Thuram: Barcelona's French defender Lilian Thuram will be sidelined for up to five weeks with a torn thigh muscle, the Primera Liga club said yesterday. The former Juventus player pulled up in the 60th minute of Thursday's 1-1 draw at home to Atletico Madrid in the Nou Camp, during the move that led to Sergio Aguero's equaliser for the visitors.
Crying Lad: Barcelona have acted after photographs of a young fan crying his eyes out in the stands after the defeat to Internacional in the Club World Cup final in Yokohama last week, were carried by newspapers across the world. The European and Spanish champions have identified the youngster named Leo Miyagata, and hope to organise for him to attend a game in the Nou Camp, the club said yesterday.
Lauren: The man probably most disappointed by the fog postponement of last Tuesday's midweek League Cup quarter-final between Liverpool and Arsenal would have to be Lauren. The Cameroon full-back has not played since January due to a knee injury but was set for his comeback at Anfield. His opportunity might come during the holiday programme or he might now have to wait until the rescheduled League Cup game on January 9.
Riquelme: Villarreal president Fernando Roig has warned Argentine playmaker Juan Roman Riquelme about his attitude, adding to press speculation that the player is unsettled at the Primera Liga club. "He should fulfill his obligations to the club. If he doesn't he's going to have problems with the president. Those who get paid by Villarreal should give their all for Villarreal," Roig was reported as saying in daily Sport.
Superstar fund: Manchester United's US owners have set aside a special £25 million pounds one-off "superstar transfer fund" to enable the club to bring a big name to the club, according to newspapers. Reports claimed to have seen documents outlining the business plans of the Glazer family, which also include an annual 25 million pounds budget for transfers.
Comeback bid: Charlton manager Les Reed says being bottom of the league and knocked out of the League Cup by Wycombe while not good, was by no means his lowest point having survived a brain haemorrhage nine years ago. "It is not the worst thing that has happened to me and therefore if I can come back from a brain haemorrhage I'm confident I can solve this one," he said.
In England: The Championship - Crystal Palace vs Sunderland 1-0. League One - Millwall vs Scunthorpe 0-1. League Two - Grimsby vs Torquay 2-0; Mansfield vs Chester pp; Notts County vs Hereford 0-1; Shrewsbury vs Barnet 0-1.
In Italy: Serie C1 (A) - Lucchese vs Pistoiese 1-0.