Carsley: Everton midfielder Lee Carsley will be ruled out for another six weeks after undergoing knee surgery, the Premier League club's website said yesterday. The 31-year-old has not played since suffering ligament damage at the end of last season, and his absence is a further blow for Everton who are bottom of the table after winning only one of their first seven games.
Bartlett: South African striker Shaun Bartlett is to retire from international football after the weekend's World Cup qualifier against the Democratic Republic of Congo in Durban. The 32-year-old Charlton Athletic forward has been included in the squad for the Group Two match in Durban where South Africa must at least draw to ensure a top three place and a spot at next year's African Nations Cup finals.
Highbury Auction: Arsenal expect thousands of fans to attend a three-day auction of the contents of Highbury stadium, the London club's home since 1913, next summer. Arsenal are moving from the 38,000 capacity venue at the end of this season to their new 60,000-seater Emirates Stadium nearby. More than 5,000 lots are expected to come under the hammer and the north stand at Highbury will be used to accommodate the thousands of fans expected to attend the auction.
Ballack: Captain Michael Ballack will miss Germany's friendly against Turkey due to illness but keeper Oliver Kahn is expected to be fit in time for Saturday's match in Istanbul. Ballack, who has influenza, and Khan, who is recovering from a knee injury, missed Bayern Munich's 2-0 win over VfL Wolfsburg on Saturday.
Coupet: Lyon goalkeeper Gregory Coupet is determined to remain as France's no.1 despite Fabien Barthez returning from suspension later this month. "I will not accept it to become reserve again," Coupet said. "I find it hard to sleep when I think about it." Barthez was suspended until the end of 2005 last May for spitting at a referee. The sanction was cut to October 15 after the Marseille goalkeeper agreed to undertake community work.
Real Finances: An impressive growth in income is allowing Real Madrid to retain its economic independence according to club president Florentino Perez. "We want Real Madrid to remain a club that belongs to everyone," Perez said. According to accounts, the club has invested some 500 million euros on new players since Perez took over the club five years ago, with salaries accounting for some 800 million euros.
In England: The Championship - QPR vs C. Palace 1-3.
In Italy: Serie C1(A) - Ravenna vs Sambenedettese 1-0.
MFA Division Two: Dingli vs Gozo 1-1; Melita vs Gharghur 1-2.