World Cup song: Vocal quartet Il Divo will perform the World Cup's official song, 'Time of Our Lives', FIFA announced yesterday. The international chart toppers, who boast on their website to have brought opera to the masses, will perform the song before the opening match between hosts Germany and Costa Rica in Munich on June 9.

Essien: Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien has been recalled to Ghana's squad for a friendly against fellow World Cup finalists Mexico in Dallas next month. Essien missed the African Nations Cup finals in Egypt this month because of injury. The Ghana FA said Essien would return to the side along with Udinese's Sulley Muntari.

Riquelme: Argentina's team doctor is confident Villarreal playmaker Juan Roman Riquelme will be fit for the first leg of the Champions League knockout tie against Rangers on February 22. The 27-year-old Argentine international travelled to his home country to receive specialist treatment on a thigh injury.

Paletta: Liverpool said that defender Gabriel Paletta would join from Argentine club Banfield at the end of the European season, subject to a medical. The Argentine centre-back, 20 today, has agreed a four-year deal.

St Mirren: Scottish second division leaders St Mirren have been fined £25,000 for failing to include the required number of U-21 players for their FA Cup fourth round tie with Spartans. St Mirren had two U-21s in their squad for the match against minor league Spartans which ended 0-0, although one of them was a goalkeeper. SFA rules state that both should be outfield players.

Kluivert: Valencia striker Patrick Kluivert will be sidelined for at least eight weeks after having surgery on his right knee. The 29-year-old, who had the operation in his native country, complained of pain in his knee after helping Valencia draw 2-2 with Real Zaragoza at the end of January.

Kuszczak: Poland coach Pawel Janas has recalled West Brom keeper Tomasz Kuszczak after an absence of almost two years for two friendlies in the run-up to June's World Cup. Janas named a 30-strong squad for the friendlies against Kaiserslautern and the US on Feb. 28 and March 1.

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