Bellamy: Coach Rafael Benitez thinks Craig Bellamy will continue to play for Liverpool during his court case next month. The Welsh international has Nov. 23 court appearance in relation to an assault charge. The trial is set for five days and Liverpool have three matches in a period of seven days around that time. They play PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League on Nov. 22 before facing Manchester City three days later and Portsmouth on Nov. 29. All three games are at Anfield.
Eboue: Arsenal defender Emmanuel Eboue will be out of action for three to four weeks after injuring his knee while playing for Ivory Coast, manager Arsene Wenger said yesterday. The Premier League club are also without Freddie Ljungberg, who injured his calf playing for Sweden against Spain, and Brazilian striker Baptista, who hurt a hamstring in training.
Mexico: Mexico have drawn up a shortlist of seven candidates to coach the national team, the federation's general secretary said. Decio de Maria declined to name the candidates but confirmed that former striker Hugo Sanchez was on the list which also included foreigners. Former Germany coach Juergen Klinsmann is among the coaches who have been linked with the job.
Stoichkov: Bulgaria coach Hristo Stoichkov said yesterday that captain Stilian Petrov's decision to quit international football because of his management of the team had come as a surprise. The 27-year-old had announced his decision on Thursday saying he did not want to play under Stoichkov. "It's his right to decide his destiny," he said. "I don't know anything about his motives but I'm really surprised that he didn't say anything to me over the last two years. He's captain of the team, he had never complained about anything and suddenly he announced it.
Dhorasoo: Vikash Dhorasoo plans to sue Paris Saint-Germain in a labour tribunal after being sacked by his club following a row with the manager. Dhorasoo was dismissed on Wednesday for alleged insubordination and disobedience after querying the tactics of coach Guy Lacombe and calling him a liar in an interview with sports daily L'Equipe last month. Dhorasoo said: "I don't accept the charges. Money is not the issue, I'm suing them on principle. I want people to know that I didn't commit a serious offence."
Lyon: France striker Sidney Govou and defender Eric Abidal have been passed fit for Lyon's Champions League game at D. Kiev on Tuesday. Govou was a doubt after missing last weekend's qualifying defeat by Scotland and Wednesday's win over the Faroe Islands with an ankle injury. Abidal started against Scotland but missed the Faroes match with a bruised thigh.
Vennegoor of Hesselink: Celtic's striker Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink has recovered from an ankle injury and will be fit for the Scottish champions' game at Dundee United today. The Dutch international suffered the injury in last month's 2-0 Old Firm win over Rangers at Celtic Park.
Bolton: Chinese striker Yang Changpeng's dream of playing English Premier League soccer could be a step closer to reality after he was invited for a month-long stint at Bolton. The English club confirmed Asian reports when it said Yang and team mate Zhou Liao will arrive at the club as part of Bolton's partnership with Chinese Super League club Wuhan FC.
MFA Division Three: Kirkop vs Xghajra 1-1; Gzira vs Ghaxaq 1-1.
In England: The Championship - Southend vs Coventry 2-3. League One - Northampton vs Bradford 0-0; Tranmere vs Port Vale 1-2.
Scottish Division One - Livingston vs Hamilton 0-1.