Metzelder: Christoph Metzelder is expected to resume training after the leg injury he sustained at the weekend turned out to be less serious than first feared. The Borussia Dortmund centre back, who has spent much of the season on the bench, hurt his left leg in a rare start in Saturday's 2-1 loss to Borussia Moenchengladbach. The 25-year-old has recovered from career-threatening Achilles injuries and back problems in recent years to return to the national team even though he only rarely plays for Dortmund.
Sport at risk: German-based anti-graft watchdog Transparency International yesterday called on sport governing bodies to tackle corruption with coordinated efforts in a warning just two months before the World Cup. The German chapter of the Berlin-based agency warned recent betting scandals showed the vulnerability of sport to criminal manipulation. "The increasing commercialism of sport raise the danger of results being manipulated," said Hansjoerg Elshorst, chairman of Transparency International. "Despite the number of individual cases recently there has been far too little public discussion of corruption in sport."
Zico: Japan coach Zico left hospital yesterday after spending the night under observation because of severe stomach pains, the Japan Football Association (JFA) said. It was initially feared Zico would need surgery, but the 53-year-old Brazilian was diagnosed with gastroenteritis and would take a week off work, according to JFA officials. Zico took over as Japan coach after the 2002 World Cup and led the Asian champions to this year's finals in Germany. Japan are drawn alongside Australia, Croatia and Brazil in Group F.
Ghana: Ghana are considering switching their pre-World Cup preparations from Portugal to Austria after being offered free use of training facilities by Austrian officials. Two officials have left to inspect the facilities, the association's website said. Ghana had planned to begin their training camp on May 14 in Faro, on Portugal's Algarve coast. Ghana will use the base to travel to friendly matches which have been arranged in Germany, London and Glasgow between May 26 and June 4.
Ceulemans: Jan Ceulemans resigned as coach of Belgian champions Club Bruges yesterday. Successive defeats, to arch rivals and league leaders Anderlecht a week ago and a 4-1 demolition at Ghent on Saturday, have seen Bruges' hopes of retaining the title all but evaporate. Emilio Ferrera is the new coach.
In Italy: Serie B - Triestina vs Pescara 2-0. Serie C1 - Torres vs Frosinone 0-0.
In England: Premier League - Blackburn 1 (Kuqi 84) Wigan 1 (Roberts 52).