Ballack: Chelsea midfielder Michael Ballack is unlikely to make his Premier League debut tomorrow against Manchester City as he has failed to recover from a hip injury, manager Jose Mourinho said yesterday. The German skipper picked up a hip injury during the 2-1 Community Shield defeat by Liverpool last week.
Nazi salutes: FIFA have begun disciplinary proceedings against the Croatian Football Federation (HNS) following racist behaviour by Croatia fans, the world governing body said yesterday. It said Croatian fans had formed a swastika and made the Nazi salute in the stands during a friendly against Italy in Livorno on Wednesday in which Croatia beat the World Cup winners 2-0. Croatian officials were not available for immediate comment but earlier on Friday they condemned the behaviour of Croat fans.
Kanu: Portsmouth have signed Nigerian striker Nwankwo Kanu on a one-year contract, the Premier League club said. The 31-year-old left West Brom when they were relegated to the second division last season.
Salihamidzic: Bosnia's Hasan Salihamidzic has called time on his international career because of recurring injuries which prevent him from giving his best, a Bosnian daily reported yesterday. The 29-year-old Bayern Munich player has been a key member of the Bosnia team since his debut 10 years ago when he scored their first official goal but doctors told him he could not continue on two fronts.
Cole: Arsenal defender Ashley Cole, who has been linked with champions Chelsea, will not play in the Premier League opener against Aston Villa today despite making himself available. "I have made myself available for selection this weekend and it is now up to the manager whether he decides to play me," the England World Cup left back said. However, Wenger later said that Cole would not be in the squad to play Villa at the Emirates Stadium.
Gravesen: Celtic manager Gordon Strachan is interested in signing Real Madrid midfielder Thomas Gravesen if they can reach an agreement on wages. Denmark international Gravesen, who joined Real from Everton last year, has been deemed surplus to requirements in Madrid after struggling to adapt to the less physical approached favoured in La Liga.
Senna: Villarreal president Fernando Roig said Marcos Senna will remain at the club after Man. United failed to follow through their interest in the player. "They've turned his head without bringing the matter to any conclusion," Roig said. "We waited until yesterday for them to finalise the conditions of the move. The player can wait longer but we can't and the case is now closed."
Boulahrouz: Chelsea have agreed an undisclosed fee with Hamburg SV for Dutch international defender Khalid Boulahrouz, the Premier League champions said yesterday. Boulahrouz will travel to London at the weekend to discuss personal terms and undergo a medical.
Harte: Ireland international Ian Harte will have to undergo surgery to deal with an injury on his left leg that caused him to miss this week's friendly against the Netherlands, his club Levante said yesterday. Levante said that they had not yet decided the date of the operation, but Harte would be out of action for between four and five weeks following surgery.
Snooker: Northern Ireland Trophy QFs - O'Sullivan vs Day 5-1; Dale bt Dott 5-2.