Heinze: Manchester United defender Gabriel Heinze, who sustained cruciate knee ligament damage in September, says he will be back in action within four weeks. "I expect to play again in one month," Heinze was quoted as saying. "The doctor of the Argentina team, Donato Villani, has evaluated me and we are all optimistic. I have worked hard and the results have been very positive." The 27-year-old Heinze was injured in United's Champions League game at Villarreal on September 14.
Adriano: Inter's fading bid to win the Serie A title suffered another blow yesterday when striker Adriano was banned for two matches after hitting an opponent. The Brazilian international, Inter's top scorer this season with 12 goals in 25 league games, slapped defender Alessandro Grandoni in the face during Saturday's 0-0 draw at Livorno. Adriano will miss the games with Udinese and Roma before returning for the home fixture against Sampdoria on March 11.
Yanagisawa: Japan striker Atsushi Yanagisawa will return to Kashima Antlers after an unhappy spell at Italy's Messina. The 28-year-old is poised to rejoin the Antlers on a four-month contract until June 30 but no decision has been taken over the player's long-term future. Yanagisawa has been frustrated by a lack of first-team opportunities during the first season of a three-year contract with the struggling Serie A club.
Neville: Manchester United captain Gary Neville has been fined £5,000 and warned after his exuberant celebration of United's winning goal against Liverpool at Old Trafford last month. Neville ran the length of the pitch to face the Liverpool fans after Rio Ferdinand's last minute winner in the January 22 Premier League match and scream his delight while brandishing the United crest on his jersey at them.
Cruz: Inter striker Julio Cruz has extended his contract until the end of June 2008. The 31-year-old Argentine's current deal expired at the end of this season. He joined Inter from Bologna in 2003. This season he has scored eight goals in 21 appearances.
Treviso: Treviso have sacked coach Alberto Cavasin and named youth team boss Diego Bortoluzzi as his successor, the bottom club in Serie A said yesterday. Treviso's 1-0 home defeat by fellow strugglers Parma on Sunday left them at the foot of the table with 14 points from 26 games. Cavasin was Treviso's second coach this season. He recorded only one win in 15 matches after taking over from Ezio Rossi. Ten Serie A coaches have now been sacked this season.