Eto’o: Inter striker Samuel Eto’o is set for an almost certain suspension after Italian Football Federation bosses asked to be shown television evidence of the Cameroonian headbutting Chievo’s Bostjan Cesar. Eto’o escaped punishment in the champions’ 2-1 defeat. However the striker is now set to be suspended when sporting judge Giampaolo Tosel gives his verdict today.
Henry: Wolves captain Karl Henry is to miss the next two months of the season with a knee injury, manager Mick McCarthy said yesterday. Henry, a 28-year-old midfielder, is set to be sidelined with an injury suffered in the 2-1 loss away to Blackpool in the Premier League on Saturday. “Karl is out for two months with medial knee ligament damage,” McCarthy said. “He’s had a scan and I think there’s a slight tear.”
Suarez: Ajax have handed a two match ban to captain Luis Suarez after the Uruguay international bit the neck of a PSV player in a league match at the weekend. Suarez, who will be allowed to play in Ajax’s Champions League tie against Real Madrid today, attacked PSV’s Otman Bakkal on Saturday. The referee failed to spot the incident but the Dutch federation has launched its own investigation.
Schweinsteiger: Bayern Munich chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge insisted yesterday the German giants will not sell Bastian Schweinsteiger before his contract expires in 2012, regardless of whether he signs an extension. “I’ve always said that we want to extend Bastian’s contract,” said Rummenigge. “We are working on it, but if that fails, then it is sure he will stay at Bayern until June 30 2012,” said Rummenigge.
Lansbury: Norwich have signed Arsenal midfielder Henri Lansbury on a 28-day emergency loan deal. Boss Paul Lambert swooped for the Gunners’ academy product after seeing his options in midfield hit by injury in recent weeks. Lansbury, 20, scored five times in 34 Championship appearances for Watford last season and has also spent time on loan at Scunthorpe.
Scottish Cup: Holders Dundee United will begin the defence of the trophy at home to Ross County, the team they beat in last season’s final, following the fourth round draw yesterday. Rangers face an awkward tie at home to Kilmarnock, a side they only defeated 3-2 in the league, with Kenny Miller scoring a hat-trick, despite Killie being reduced to 10 men, on Saturday.Meanwhile Celtic are set to be away to Berwick Rangers.Ties will be played on January 8 and 9.
MFA Div. Three: Marsaskala vs Attard 1-1; Sta Luċija vs Xgħajra Tornadoes 0-0.
Serie B: Novara vs Reggina 3-1.
Primera Liga: Getafe vs R. Zaragoza 1-1.
Athletics: Jamaican sprint sensation Usain Bolt revealed that he would like to try his hand at professional football when he retires from athletics. “I’d like to try to become a professional (footballer) at the end of my career. I’ll stop athletics at the age of 30. If I could have the chance to play for a team, even for one of the smallest teams in the English Premier League or a lower division, just to see if I can do it,” he said.
Cricket: Key Australian batsman Michael Clarke is struggling to shake off a back injury just days from the first Ashes Test against England, prompting selectors to rush Usman Khawaja into the squad. Pakistan-born Khawaja, 23, was added as a standby for Clarke, whose long-standing disc problem resurfaced during domestic duties this month and resulted in him missing a three-hour training session session.
Rugby Union: Leinster backs Luke Fitzgerald and Rob Kearney have both been ruled out of Ireland’s final November international against Argentina. The pair suffered knee injuries during a 38-18 loss to New Zealand on Saturday and will now miss the match against the Pumas at the Dublin ground on November 28. Fitzgerald is expected to be out for six weeks but, unlike the wing, no date has yet been set for full-back Kearney’s return.
Basketball: David West scored a game-high 17 points while Chris Paul passed off 14 assists and Emeka Okafor grabbed 12 rebounds to power New Orleans past Sacramento 75-71 in an NBA game on Sunday. The Hornets, who also had 16 points from Trevor Ariza and 12 points from Italian Marco Belinelli, improved to 11-1 with their third triumph in a row and matched San Antonio for the best record in the 30-team league.