Crespo: Milan will open talks with Chelsea tomorrow aimed at resolving the future of Argentine striker Hernan Crespo. Crespo spent last season on loan to Milan from Chelsea and scored 18 goals in all competitions for the Serie A club. Milan have made clear that they wish to sign Crespo, who remains under contract to the English club, on a permanent basis.
Coventry: Coventry City's new ground will not be ready for the start of the new season and as a result they will play their first three second division games away from home. The 32,000-seater Ricoh Arena will not now be ready until August 20 and although the fixtures for the new season which starts on the weekend of August 7-8 have yet to be released, Coventry have been in communication with the Football League to minimise disruption.
Wolfsburg: Wolfsburg have appointed Holger Fach their new coach on a two-year contract. Fach, a former Germany international defender, replaces the Belgian Erik Gerets, who resigned at the end of the season. Fach's most recent coaching job ended in October last year when he was sacked by Borussia Moenchengladbach.
Confederations Cup: Argentina have named a below-strength squad for the Confederations Cup in Germany, resting experienced players such as Hernan Crespo and Roberto Ayala as well as locally-based regulars Roberto Abbondanzieri, Luis Gonzalez and Javier Mascherano. There was also no place for midfielder Juan Sebastian Veron, who has not been picked since Jose Pekerman took over as coach last September. The eight-team tournament starts on June 15 and continues until June 29.
Udinese: Udinese coach Luciano Spalletti is ready to leave the Serie A club just a week after taking them to a first qualification spot in the Champions League. Udinese defied most predictions and finished fourth in Serie A, earning a place in the qualifying round for next season's Champions League. "I consider my cycle at Udinese to have concluded," Spalletti said. "I don't feel I am able to guarantee fourth place every year for the club." Roma have been widely reported to be interested in Spalletti.
Empoli: Empoli won promotion to Italy's Serie A when a 1-1 home draw with Arezzo on Sunday secured a return to the top flight after a year's absence. Genoa, looking to get back among the big clubs after 10 years in the second division, were left frustrated, however, after a 2-2 draw at Piacenza meant they must wait until the final day of the season to see if they can gain promotion. Two teams are automatically promoted from Serie B and Empoli lead on 74 points, with Genoa on 73, and Torino and Perugia on 71.
¤ Serbia and Montenegro manager Ilija Petkovic has called up six uncapped players for a friendly against Italy tomorrow. They include five under-21 internationals, central defenders Branislav Ivanovic and Marko Basa, striker Igor Burzanovic, right back Nemanja Rnic and goalkeeper Vladimir Stojkovic. Zeta Golubovci midfielder Nikola Trajkovic, who won the country's first division player of the season award, has also been added. Petkovic dropped eight first-team players who were in the starting line-up for Saturday's 0-0 draw with Belgium which left Serbia top of World Cup qualifying Group Seven.