Hierro backs Aragones: The Spanish Football Federation's new sporting director Fernando Hierro has given his backing to under-fire coach Luis Aragones at his official presentation, when asked whether he had considered a change on the bench. "My number one candidate is Luis Aragones. I haven't spoken to or called anyone, because the most important thing is qualifying for Euro 2008 and any other matter is counter-productive," he said.
Nigeria: Nigeria coach Berti Vogts has invited the Portsmouth striking pair of Nwankwo Kanu and John Utaka to prepare for Nigeria's Oct. 13 friendly against Mexico. Uncapped Duisburg striker Ishiaku Manasseh was also included in a 19-man squad list released by the Nigerian FA yesterday, while Everton forward Yakubu Ayegbeni was excluded.
Totti: Roma captain Francesco Totti said he would prefer to beat Man. United than win against Inter. The English champions knocked Roma out of the Champions League at the quarter-final stage last season with a 7-1 rout at Old Trafford. The striker has recovered from the thigh strain that kept him out of Roma's 2-2 draw at Fiorentina on Wednesday.
Steaua Bucharest: Steaua Bucharest's Polish defender Pawel Golanski will miss next week's Champions League home match against Arsenal after suffering a leg injury. "Golanski has torn his thigh muscle and doctors say he needs at least two weeks to recover," a club the spokesman said.
Pericard: Stoke City's French striker Vincent Pericard, who was due to be released from prison on Monday, is still behind bars, the club said. Pericard, who will be 25 next Wednesday, was jailed for four months in August for perverting the course of justice over a motoring incident, but his release has been delayed because he is still awaiting immigration clearance.
Puyol: Spain and Barcelona centre back Carles Puyol completed a training match and has been given clearance to return to action, the Primera Liga side said. The club captain tore a knee ligament in a post-season friendly against Mamelodi Sundowns in June.
Croatia: Croatia coach Slaven Bilic kept faith with the players who have preserved their place at the top of Group E in the Euro 2008 qualifying campaign when he named his squad yesterday to face Israel next month. Injured Parma forward Igor Budan is the only player missing from the squad that beat Estonia and Andorra earlier this month. Croatia face fourth-placed Israel on Oct. 13 in Zagreb.
Maresca: Sevilla's Italian midfielder Enzo Mareseca will be out of action for between seven and 10 days with a muscle injury in his right leg, the Primera Liga club said. He will miss the league match away to Real Zaragoza on Saturday and is unlikely to make the Champions League Group H clash at home to Slavia Prague next Tuesday.