Mifsud Scores: Michael Mifsud was again on the mark for Lillestrom last night in a Norwegian league match against Hamarkameratene which the home side won 3-1. Lillestrom kept the pressure on league leaders Brann Bergen who top the standings with 34 points, one ahead of Lillestrom. Mifsud beat the Hamarkameratene keeper soon after the break to make it momentarily 2-0. Last week, Mifsud scored two goals in Lillestrom's 3-3 draw away at Lyn Oslo.
Germany Injuries: Germany coach Joachim Loew will be without all four of his World Cup central defenders for the start of their Euro 2008 qualifying campaign on Saturday against Ireland after Christoph Metzelder was ruled out yesterday. The Borussia Dortmund defender was expected to be back this week but a knee injury turned out to be more serious than first thought . Loew already had to contend with injuries to Per Mertesacker, Robert Huth and Jens Nowotny.
Stem cells: Some leading English footballers are storing stem cells from their newborn babies as a potential future treatment for their own career-threatening sports injuries, according to a report in London's Sunday Times. Players are freezing the cells taken from the umbilical cord blood of their babies as a possible future cure for cartilage and ligament problems. Stem cells can be used to regenerate damaged organs and tissue because they are the earliest form of cells.
Reyes: Arsenal forward Jose Antonio Reyes has said he is desperate to return to Spain and insists he will never play in England again. The 22-year-old Spain international has been linked with moves to Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid, but Arsenal dismissed bids from the two Primera Liga clubs as too low. "I've heard lots of rumours, but the one thing that is clear is that I want to leave London," Reyes told sports daily Marca.
Boro keepers: Two Middlesbrough goalkeepers - Brad Jones and David Knight - were both sent off within minutes of each other yesterday even though Middlesbrough were not playing. Jones, on loan at Sheffield Wednesday, was sent off for a professional foul after 67 minutes during Wednesday's 1-0 home defeat to Leeds United in the second division. Knight, on loan from Middlesbrough at third division Oldham, was sent off after 39 minutes of their 0-0 draw with Carlisle.