Ibrahimovic: Juve striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic was recalled by Sweden coach Lars Lagerback yesterday for this month's World Cup qualifier against Bulgaria. Ibrahimovic, who missed February's 1-1 friendly draw against France because of a back injury, was named in the 20-man squad for the match in Sofia on March 26. Barcelona striker Henrik Larsson is still recuperating from knee surgery and will miss the Group Eight qualifier.
Keane: Man. United captain Roy Keane returns to the Ireland squad for the World Cup qualifier against Israel on March 26. Keane missed Ireland's friendly against Portugal last month with a knee injury. Ireland manager Brian Kerr also included Newcastle defender Stephen Carr, who was rested for the Portugal game, in a 23-man squad which will play a friendly against China at Lansdowne Road on March 29.
Woodgate: Real Madrid defender Jonathan Woodgate, who has not played for the club since joining last August because of injury, could make his long-awaited debut at the start of next season. The 25-year-old England international joined Real from Newcastle for €20m after passing a medical, although he has not played a competitive match since tearing a thigh muscle in a match against Chelsea in April 2004. He was poised to make his Real debut back in October but suffered a recurrence of the injury during a training session, and had to fly to the US for specialist advice.
Batistuta: Argentina's record international scorer Gabriel Batistuta has blamed a lack of enthusiasm for his decision to retire at the age of 36. The former Fiorentina and Roma striker announced his decision from Qatar on Sunday, where he had been playing for Al Arabi since 2003. "Everything has an end," he said. "Training for me was not the same any more, my enthusiasm was waning. So the time arrived to say goodbye to football."
Robin Hood Team: Brazil keeper Marcos launched a public attack on his Palmeiras team-mates over their inability to beat inferior opponents. "It's the Robin Hood team," he said following a 2-1 defeat by Portuguesa. "We love giving a helping hand to anyone who is in a difficult situation. It was clear that this was going to happen because ever since last year, Palmeiras have adored helping teams who are doing badly."