Bayern: Sebastian Deisler is ready to make his comeback for Bayern Munich on Saturday, eight months after suffering a knee injury that cost him a place in Germany's World Cup squad. Bayern said yesterday the 26-year-old midfielder would be back in the squad for the Bundesliga match at home to leaders Stuttgart. Deisler's return is the latest positive injury news for Bayern, who also expect to have Lucio back in the team to face Stuttgart. The Brazilian international centre-back has not played since suffering an ankle injury in Bayern's 3-1 defeat away to Werder Bremen on October 21.

Merkel: Bundesliga club Energie Cottbus are looking forward to having a new big name on their books next year, when German Chancellor Angela Merkel will become an honorary member. Cottbus are the only team from the former communist east of Germany in the top division of the Bundesliga. Merkel grew up in the old East Germany. Gerhard Schroeder, the man Merkel replaced as Chancellor, is an honorary member of Bundesliga rivals Borussia Dortmund.

Osasuna fined: Osasuna have been fined 3,000 euros by the Spanish FA after Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas was hit on the head by a lighter thrown from the crowd during Sunday's Primera Liga match. The fine was accompanied by a warning that a re-occurrence could lead to the closure of the stadium for at least one game.

Guimaraes: Former Costa Rica coach Alexandre Guimaraes has been named as the new coach of Panama. Brazilian-born Guimaraes, who trained Costa Rica at the 2002 and 2006 World Cups, would coach the team in their 2010 qualifiers. He replaces former Panama striker Julio Dely Valdes. Panama have never qualified for the World Cup.

Seventh coach: Fortaleza, relegated to the Brazilian second division at the weekend, named Daniel Frasson as their seventh coach of the year. Frasson, who replaces Roberval Davino, will take charge for the last three matches of the season.