England: Everton striker Andy Johnson was recalled by England coach Steve McClaren yesterday for next month's Euro 2008 Group E qualifiers against Andorra and Macedonia. Johnson comes in for the injured Dean Ashton who broke his ankle training with England the day before the friendly with Greece on August 16.
Martins: Nigeria striker Obafemi Martins said yesterday he was setting his sights on filling the void left at Newcastle by the retirement of Alan Shearer. The 21-year-old has been handed the club's number nine shirt following his 15 million euros move from Inter and is aiming to maintain the standards the record-breaking Shearer set in his 10 years at the club. "Alan Shearer was something else - he was a great player," Martins said. "I want to score goals at this club, and I have confidence in myself that I will do that... I can be a great replacement for Shearer."
Gravesen: Real Madrid midfielder Thomas Gravesen is at home in Denmark training with his former club Vejle to keep up his fitness while he looks for a new team. The Danish international joined Real from Everton last year but the combative 30-year-old has struggled to adapt in Spain and has faded out of the reckoning since the arrival of new coach Fabio Capello.
Anelka: French striker Nicolas Anelka has signed a four-year deal with Bolton after the English Premiership club agreed to pay £8 million to Turkey's Fenerbahce. The 27-year-old, who has had spells in the English top flight with Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City, completed a medical on Thursday.
Larsson: Former Barcelona and Celtic striker Henrik Larsson, now with Swedish side Helsingborg, has been suspended for punching an opponent and will miss his side's next two matches. The August 19 incident, missed by the referee but caught on television, prompted an investigation by the association.
Togo fined: FIFA has fined the Togolese FA 100,000 Swiss Francs ($80,840) after its players threatened to go on strike during the World Cup finals in Germany. FIFA announced the decision yesterday, adding that its disciplinary committee described the behaviour of the Togolese delegation as "unworthy of a participant in the World Cup".
Thatcher: Manchester City suspended defender Ben Thatcher yesterday, pending the results of the Premier League club's internal investigation into his challenge on Pedro Mendes which put the Portsmouth player in hospital. A statement said Thatcher fully agreed with the decision and would miss today's home match against Arsenal.