EPL - Fulop joins Manchester City

Manchester City have confirmed that goalkeeper Marton Fulop has joined them on emergency loan to replace injured stopper Shay Given until the end of the season.

The Premier League have approved City's application to sign a player on loan as their three first-team goalkeepers - Given, Stuart Taylor and David Gonzalez - are all injured.

The club's only fit goalkeeper is Faroe Islands stopper Gunnar Nielsen, who made his debut against Arsenal on Saturday. Any other keeper would be an academy player and not, as has been suggested, a full professional. There is no recall clause in Joe Hart's loan deal at Birmingham City, so Roberto Mancini was left no choice but to ask for special dispensation to bring in another stopper.

It will not be the first time that a Premier League side has been allowed to recruit a goalkeeper outside of the transfer window, as Aston Villa signed Gabor Kiraly in December 2006. And it happens regularly in the Football League at the end of the season once the loan window has closed.

Primera - Metzelder to join Schalke in the summer

Out-of-favour defender Christoph Metzelder will return to the Bundesliga after agreeing to sign for Schalke, where he played as a youth, when his contract with Real Madrid expires.

Metzelder has failed to hold down a regular place at Real since moving to Spain from Borussia Dortmund in 2007. In three injury-hit years at Real, Metzelder has started just 18 La Liga matches.

The Germany international has made just two appearances for Real this season, the most recent game being the 2-0 win at Racing Santander at the start of the month, and has had to be content with a place on the bench at best.

Primera - Venta to quit Villarreal

Javi Venta has revealed he will leave Villarreal in the summer after more than a decade at the club.

The veteran defender moved to Yellow Submarines in 1999 and spent the first season with their reserve side before being shipped out on loan for the next two season.

Venta has been at the heart of their back four for the past eight seasons and has established himself as a firm fans' favourite for his commitment to the Villarreal cause.

The player admits he does not know where he will be playing next season.

EPL - Birmingham charged

Birmingham have been hit with a disciplinary charge by the Football Association following the angry scenes at their derby defeat by Aston Villa.

The club have been charged with failing to ensure their players conducted themselves in an orderly fashion after referee Martin Atkinson was surrounded by a furious group following his award of a penalty.

Blues defender Stephen Carr has also been charged with improper conduct for allegedly making an offensive gesture to Villa fans at the end of the match. West Midlands Police are also expected to question Carr over the incident.

Defender Roger Johnson, who was penalised for Atkinson to concede the spot-kick that led to Villa winning 1-0, has been asked to explain his comments to the media in which he attacked Atkinson.

EPL - Rooney and Milner strike it right

Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney has been named the Professional Footballers' Association Player of the Year, though he missed out an awards double as James Milner beat him to the PFA Young Player of the Year prize.

Rooney, who has been in sensational form this season, saw off stiff competition in the form of Cesc Fabregas, Carlos Tevez and Didier Drogba to collect the honour, and United have now provided the winner in each of the past four years.

Rooney was also nominated for the PFA Young Player of the Year, but that award went to James Milner of Aston Villa. Milner appears to have played himself into Fabio Capello's World Cup squad with a string of stellar performances, with the 24-year-old midfielder crediting a change in position for his success this season.

PFA Team of the Year:

GK: Joe Hart (Birmingham)
DEF: Branislav Ivanovic (Chelsea)
DEF: Richard Dunne (Aston Villa)
DEF: Thomas Vermaelen (Arsenal)
DEF: Patrice Evra (Man Utd)
MID: Darren Fletcher (Man Utd)
MID: Cesc Fabregas(Arsenal)
MID: James Milner (Aston Villa)
MID: Antonio Valencia (Man Utd)
ST: Didier Drogba (Chelsea)
ST: Wayne Rooney (Man Utd)

EPL - Portsmouth fail in bid to play in Europa League

Portsmouth will not be permitted to play in the Europa League next season because of their financial problems, the Football Association and Premier League have told the club.

Pompey did not file an application prior to the March 31 deadline as they have still to agree a creditors approved CVA and come out of administration and, despite preliminary talks between the club and the FA, it was made clear than an appeal would not have been successful - so Pompey did not make one.

Portsmouth would have qualified to play in Europe next season after reaching the FA Cup final against Chelsea - who are already in next season's Champions League - but the club's administrators have been told that any late application for a UEFA club licence will not be considered.

UEFA had said Portsmouth could submit a late application before May 31 but the Premier League and the FA believe Portsmouth's financial situation - debts that total £119 million - is so bad that they would not meet any of the criteria.

The decision means that the team who finish seventh in the Premier League - currently Liverpool - would play in the Europa League instead.

Serie A - Mourinho baffled by Totti's fine

Inter Milan coach Jose Mourinho has expressed his disbelief that Roma captain Francesco Totti escaped severe punishment for the provocative gestures he made at fans of relegation-threatened Lazio on Sunday.

Totti repeatedly goaded Biancoceleste supporters after Roma's 2-1 win in the Eternal City derby but was only fined €20,000 by the Italian football league and did not receive a suspension.

Earlier this year, Mourinho was hit with a €40,000 fine and given a three-match ban in Serie A for a handcuffs gesture during a goalless draw against Sampdoria.

Lazio duo Mauro Zarate and Roberto Baronio were fined €8,000 and €5,000 respectively for their behaviour at the end of the derby.

Roma lead the Serie A standings by one point from Inter with four games remaining. They host Sampdoria on Sunday while Inter take on Atalanta at the San Siro 24 hours earlier.

Serie A - Balotelli seeks to leave Inter

Mario Balotelli has reportedly handed in a transfer request after the events that followed Inter Milan's 3-1 victory over Barcelona at the San Siro.

Balotelli was booed by his own fans after a speculative shot late on in the game and he threw down his shirt at the final whistle. The striker was criticised by a number of his team-mates after the game and security had to protect him from angry supporters as he left the stadium.

Balotelli, meanwhile, has said he wants to prove he can be the best player in the game despite recent negative headlines.

EPL - N'Zogbia arrested over driving test

Wigan Athletic midfielder Charles N'Zogbia has been arrested and released on bail amid allegations that he attempted to get a friend to take the practical part of his driving test for him.

N'Zogbia, who scored against Arsenal in a 3-2 win at weekend, was arrested at Sale Driving Test Centre, Greater Manchester, on Wednesday morning.

N'Zogbia has recently gained British citizenship after spending five years in the UK - previously playing for Newcastle - and did not comment on the matter, but Wigan boss Roberto Martinez claims he made a ''naive mistake'' which resulted in the incident.

EL - Europa League ties to go ahead

UEFA have announced that both Europa League semi-final, first leg clashes will go ahead on Thursday.

The games were in serious doubt due to the cloud of volcanic ash which continues to hang over northern Europe and has forced British airspace to be closed for days. But both Liverpool and Fulham will have to make the trips to Madrid and Hamburg respectively, most likely by land if planes remain grounded.

UEFA had already insisted that the Champions League games this week will take place though the journeys which Barcelona and Lyon face are far shorter. For instance, Barca's coach journey to Milan on Sunday was just over 600 miles.

Serie A - Mutu banned for nine months

Fiorentina striker Adrian Mutu has been banned for nine months after testing positive for banned substance sibutramine earlier this year.

Mutu is furious at the length of the ban and may now decide to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. If the decision stands he will be ruled out until October 29 as he has already been suspended for two months.

The Romania international has already been banned for seven months in the past after testing positive for cocaine while playing for Chelsea.

Serie A - Totti plays down derby gesture

Roma captain Francesco Totti has attempted to calm the furore over his 'thumbs-down' gestures that angered Lazio's fans and coach, Edy Reja, after Sunday's hostile city derby.

Tempers flared after the 2-1 win, which sees Roma leapfrog Inter Milan into first place in Serie A, after Totti goaded the supporters of Lazio, who were the hosts of Sunday's Eternal City derby. Reja was so upset that he called for Totti to be slapped with a 10-match ban. ''Considering how the game went, after the final whistle, I let myself go with the heated atmosphere of triumph,'' Totti said in a statement on his official website. ''I didn't intend to offend anyone and I apologise if someone has been affected by my way of celebrating the result with my team-mates and the fans.

Totti and team-mate Daniele De Rossi, both members of Italy's World Cup winning squad in 2006, were so swept up in the intensity of the derby that Roma coach Claudio Ranieri substituted both at half-time.

EPL - Surgery rules Torres out for rest of season

Fernando Torres will miss the remainder of the season for Liverpool due to knee surgery, and his participation in the World Cup finals must be in some doubt as his club expect him to be sidelined for six weeks.

The news means Torres will miss Liverpool's final four games of the Premier League season and their Europa League semi-final against his former side Atletico Madrid. Torres will also miss the final in Hamburg should Liverpool qualify.

Torres, who has been restricted to only 20 Premier League starts due to injury this season, was recently assessed by Dr Ramon Cugat, the specialist who operated on him in January, but the volcanic ash crippling air travel across Europe had prevented his return to Barcelona earlier this week.

If Torres is absent for six weeks, he will be unable to play in Spain's friendly against Saudi Arabia on May 29. However, he could in theory be available for the second game of their Austrian training camp which comes against South Korea on June 3.

Vicente del Bosque must submit his final 23-man squad to FIFA by June 1.

Serie A - Leonardo refuses to be drawn on his future

AC Milan coach Leonardo is remaining tight-lipped on whether or not he will remain at the club next season.

There is media speculation in Italy that Leonardo could return to his native Brazil this summer. Last week Milan had to deny reports that he had already left the club, and it seems unlikely he will still be in charge next season.

Milan suffered another setback at the weekend when losing 2-1 at Sampdoria, a result which leaves them in third place and seven points behind Serie A leaders AS Roma, destined for a trophyless season.

AC Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani hopes Leonardo, who is under contract for a further year with the Rossoneri, will remain. However, he said that should Leonardo leave, it would be down to personal issues.

EPL - Shortlist for PFA Player of the Year award released

Shortlist for PFA Player of the Year award

1) Wayne Rooney

2) Didier Drogba

3) Cesc Fabregas

4) Carlos Tevez

Shortlist for PFA Young Player of the Year award

1) Wayne Rooney

2) Cesc Fabregas

3) James Milner

4) Joe Hart

Primera - Barca refuse to rule out summer Fabregas bid

Barcelona technical secretary Txiki Begiristain has rejected Arsenal chairman Peter Hill-Wood's claim that they will not attempt to sign Cesc Fabregas this summer.

Hill-Wood had revealed on Wednesday that a meeting had taken place between the clubs and Barca had agreed not to make an approach during the close season.

However, Begiristain has now rejected those claims and refused to rule out a bid.

EPL - Benitez intends to see out contract

Rafael Benitez intends to see out his contract at Liverpool but his future is dependent on the club's financial situation.

His agent, agent Manuel Garcia Quillon, has confirmed Benitez has no plans to leave before his deal expires in 2014 but said he could reconsider if he is not given funds to rebuild the squad.

Quillon also claimed an unnamed Chinese investor was interested in buying out co-owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett and keeping Benitez on as manager.

Both Juventus and Real Madrid have been linked with Benitez.

EPL - Red Knights close on United bid

The Red Knights consortium has convened to finalise plans to launch a takeover of Manchester United and are hopeful terms of an offer will be ready this week.

However, the group of wealthy United fans, which includes Goldman Sachs chief economist Jim O'Neill, a former United director, and Mark Rawlinson, a partner at leading London law firm Freshfields, do not expect to make a formal bid for the club before the end of the season.

Wednesday's talks were held to confirm exactly where the money will come from to fund a bid and to determine the level of fan involvement in the proposed ownership structure.

The Glazers bought United for £800 million in 2005 but loaded debt on to the club - the total debt now tops £700 million.

EPL - Usmanov keeps options open

Alisher Usmanov, one of Arsenal's largest shareholders, has refused to rule out the possibility of launching a takeover for the club amid rumours he has increased his stake.

The Russian billionaire uses Red & White Holdings as an investment vehicle, and currently owns a 26.29% stake in the Gunners, though reports in the media suggested Usmanov has acquired another 37 shares to take his stake up to 26.31%.

Arsenal's biggest investor is US billionaire Stan Kroenke, who has a 29.98% stake in the club. On Tuesday, Kroenke announced his intention to assume full control of the American football team the St Louis Rams - a move interpreted as a sign that he wouldn't be launching a takeover for Arsenal.

Board member Lady Nina Bracewell-Smith has appointed a firm to sell her 15.9% stake in the Gunners. If Kroenke or Usmanov bought Bracewell-Smith's stake it would take them over the 30% threshold which, under City takeover rules, requires them to make a formal offer for the business.

Serie A - Flamini to stay at Milan

AC Milan midfielder Mathieu Flamini expects to receive a number of transfer offers in the summer but has reiterated his desire to remain at the San Siro.

Flamini has struggled to establish himself as a first-team regular since leaving Arsenal for Milan in 2008 and has been repeatedly linked with a return to the Premier League, most recently with Manchester City.

But the Frenchman, 26, has a desire to prove himself in Italian football by winning a trophy with the Rossoneri.

EPL - Rafa ten day ultimatum

Juventus have given Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez a ten-day deadline to decide if he wants to take charge of the Serie A giants next season.

Benitez's agent, Manuel Garcia Quilon, dismissed reports that he met with Juve president Jean-Claude Blanc in Milan on Monday, but his client remains top of the Bianconeri's wanted list.

Liverpool, currently lying in sixth place in the Premier League, are likely to miss out on Champions League football following a hugely disappointing season and are not expected to fight off any approach for Benitez.

Juventus have endured a similarly poor season and are under the stewardship of their second manager this year since sacking Claudio Ranieri, now leading Serie A with AS Roma, in May.

Primera - Spanish players union calls off strike over wages

The Spanish players' union (AFE) have called off a strike planned for next weekend after reaching an agreement with the football authorities, sports minister Jaime Lissavetzky said on Tuesday.

The AFE had officially called for industrial action over unpaid wages in all four divisions, which would affect matches across the top four leagues between April 16-19.

Progress was made during talks on Monday between the AFE, the league, the federation and the government and the outlook had been positive for the return to the negotiating table on Tuesday.

The strike would have affected the matches between La Liga leaders Barcelona and city rivals Espanyol, and Real Madrid and Valencia, among others. It would have placed additional strain on a calendar that is already tight because of this year's World Cup.

Serie A - Cagliari sack coach Allegri

Cagliari have sacked coach Massimiliano Allegri with five games remaining in the season.

The Sardinian outfit enjoyed a positive start to the Serie A campaign but had gone through a dismal run in which they claimed just two points from their last nine league games. Cagliari lost 1-0 at Juventus at the weekend to drop to 12th in the standings.

Allegri joined Cagliari in May 2008 and led his side in the 2008-09 campaign to a ninth-place finish.

As a result, he received the Panchina d'Oro (Golden bench), a prize awarded to the best Serie A football manager according to other managers' votes. Cagliari host Palermo on Sunday.

EPL - Belletti expects to leave Chelsea

Juliano Belletti has confirmed that he is likely to leave Chelsea when his contract expires in June but insists he has no plans to retire.

Belletti, who joined Chelsea from Barcelona in 2007, has spent the bulk of his time at Stamford Bridge as a back-up, providing cover at right-back, defensive midfield and central midfield.

The former Brazil international, 33, attracted interest from Flamengo in January and, while Chelsea refused to grant him a move, it now looks increasingly likely he will move on this summer.

EPL - Arsenal take step closer to takeover

Arsenal have been valued at close to £1 billion and a stand-off between Uzbek businessman Alisher Usmanov and American sports mogul Stan Kroenke is expected to ensue.

Speculation of a takeover bid intensified on Monday as news emerged that Bracewell-Smith, the club's third-largest shareholder, began the process of selling her stake.

Bracewell-Smith appointed US group Blackstone to find a buyer for the shares, sparking inevitable reports that Usmanov and Kroenke, who have long been fighting for control of the club, would instantly jump in to buy the shares.

Kroenke owns 29.9% of shares, the highest figure allowed by Stock Exchange rules without a takeover bid, and has a place on the board. Usmanov's Red and White Holdings has 26% and he does not have a place on the board.

Should anyone other than Kroenke or Usmanov purchase Bracewell-Smith's stake, they would only take a minority interest and might not even be welcomed into the inner sanctum.

Bracewell-Smith has often insisted she has no intention of selling her stake, so it is possible that she will sell only a small percentage of her shares, in small proportions, rather than the full stake.

Primera - Iniesta ruled out for a month

Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta is likely to miss most of Barcelona's season after sustaining a hamstring injury in training that is set to keep him sidelined for a month.

Iniesta suffered a tear in his right hamstring, having only just recovered from injury to play some part in the 2-0 win over Real Madrid in the league.

According to the Catalan club's website, the injury is likely to keep Iniesta out for four weeks, in which case he would miss most of Barca's final seven league matches of the season (the Primera Division finishes on the weekend of May 15/16) and both legs of the Champions League semi-final against Jose Mourinho's Inter Milan.

Int'l - Adebayor announces international retirement

Manchester City striker Emmanuel Adebayor has announced his retirement from international football.

Adebayor was on the Togo team bus in January as three people were killed in a gun attack ahead of the African Nations Cup in Angola.

In a statement on his club's official website, he said: "Following the tragic events during January's African Cup of Nations, in which two of my fellow countrymen were killed by terrorists in Angola, I have made the very difficult decision to retire from international football.

Serie A - Giovinco to miss the rest of the season

Juventus playmaker Sebastian Giovinco will miss the rest of the season with a muscular injury.

Giovinco sustained a strain in his left thigh during Sunday's 1-0 triumph over Cagliari.

The 23-year-old has scored once in 14 league appearances for the Bianconeri as Juve lie sixth in the Serie A standings, three points behind Sampdoria who hold the final Champions League qualifying spot with five games remaining.

EPL - Pompey eye Europa reprieve

Portsmouth are set to appeal to the Football Association as they attempt to win a place in the Europa League for next season.

With fellow FA Cup finalists Chelsea already assured to be in the Champions League next season, under normal circumstances Portsmouth would automatically be allocated a place in Europe's secondary competition. But, with Pompey in financial turmoil, they did not apply for a UEFA licence before the March 1 deadline and as such are not eligible to play in the Europe.

EPL - Gudjonsson suspended after Laws attack

Burnley midfielder Joey Gudjonsson has been suspended for two weeks following his outspoken comments on manager Brian Laws last week.

Gudjonsson launched a scathing attack on the Clarets' beleaguered boss, claiming he had lost the dressing room. Laws responded by masterminding a 4-1 victory at Hull, the club's first away win of the season, which kept hopes of Premier League survival alive.

The Iceland international, who has played just 18 minutes of Premier League football since Laws took charge at Turf Moor, is clearly angered at being left out in the cold.

English FA Cup - Portsmouth claim final date

Portsmouth overcame the disappointment of relegation the previous day to book their FA Cup final date with Chelsea.

After a season of turmoil, which led to the club to administration and relegation, Pompey make it to the FA final, their second in 3 years.

Piquionne scored on the first half of extra time before Boateng added their second on penalty spot after Palacios had brought down Dindane.

Manager Grant will relish the chance to take on his former club, Chelsea.

EPL - Benitez: We need to spend £60m

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has hinted Liverpool may need to spend as much as £60 million in the summer if they are to challenge for the Premier League title next season.

The club were expected to make a concerted bid for the title this season but have endured a painfully below-par campaign that finds them in sixth place and 19 points adrift of leaders Chelsea.

Benitez believes the club must buy at least three new players in the summer to reinvigorate his squad and admits he will need to sell some of his squad to fund their arrival.

The Spaniard's only major purchase last summer was the £20 million he spent on Alberto Aquilani, who has struggled with injury since arriving at Anfield, and he admits he needs more star players in his squad.

Primera - Aguero tempted by Inter move

Sergio Aguero has revealed he would welcome a move to Inter Milan should he leave Atletico Madrid this summer.

Aguero, 21, has been linked with a number of top European sides including Manchester United and Chelsea and, as Atletico look set to miss out on the Champions League, it is thought that he may be sold this summer.

Inter Milan are expected to make a bid for the Argentina forward when the market reopens and Aguero has admitted he would be happy to consider a move to Italy.

EPL - Lampitt named new chief executive

Portsmouth's new chief executive David Lampitt has vowed to bring "some stability and transparency" to the crisis club.

Pompey have appointed Lampitt, the Football Association's head of football integrity, as the successor to Peter Storrie, who stepped down on March 12. He will take up the post once his period of notice has been agreed with the FA.

Portsmouth take on Tottenham in an FA Cup semi-final at Wembley on Sunday, but could be relegated from the Premier League before they take to the pitch if results go against them.

Avram Grant's side are 14 points from safety with five games to play, having been deducted nine points on March 17 for going into administration.

EPL - Bruce reveals Kuranyi interest

Sunderland boss Steve Bruce is ready to renew his interest in Schalke striker Kevin Kuranyi - but he knows he will not be alone.

Kuranyi, 28, is out of contract in the summer and Bruce, who made an inquiry about him in January, has admitted the prospect of snapping up a player of his stature on a Bosman deal is too tempting to be ignored.

However, the Black Cats are well aware that they will find themselves in a lengthy queue despite Kuranyi's wage demands, which various reports have suggested could range from around £3.5 million a season to almost twice that.

EPL - Reina signs new six-year Anfield deal

Liverpool goalkeeper Jose Reina has signed a new six-year contract with the Anfield club.

Reina joined Liverpool from Spanish side Villarreal in 2005 and has proved to be one of manager Rafael Benitez's best signings.

The 27-year-old has consistently been one of the Reds' outstanding performers and he will head to the World Cup in the summer with Spain.

EPL - Rooney out of Blackburn match

Wayne Rooney has been ruled out of Manchester United's match against Blackburn on Sunday due to his ankle injury.

Sir Alex Ferguson confirmed the striker's unavailability on Friday morning, less than 48 hours after England frontman Rooney made a shock return to the team for the Champions League clash with Bayern Munich.

Ferguson has insisted Rooney did not suffer any long-term damage when he aggravated his injury against the German giants, who knocked out United on away goals.

EPL - Man United agree deal for Chivas striker

Manchester United have announced a deal to sign striker Javier Hernandez from Mexican side Chivas for an undisclosed fee, reported to be around £6 million.

Hernandez, 21, has agreed personal terms and passed a medical but is still awaiting a work permit. Should a permit be granted, he will join United in July after the Mexico international returns from the World Cup.

As part of the deal, United will play a friendly at the Chivas Stadium ahead of the 2010-11 season.

Primera - Abidal to miss El Clasico

Barcelona full-back Eric Abidal has been ruled out of Saturday's 'Clasico' with Real Madrid after aggravating a thigh injury in Tuesday's Champions League victory over Arsenal.

Abidal was replaced by Maxwell early in the second half of Barcelona's 4-1 second-leg victory and is expected to be sidelined for 10 days.

Barca head into Saturday's Primera Division match at the Bernabeu behind their arch rivals on goal difference with eight games of the season remaining.

Serie A - Pato talk rejected

AC Milan striker Alexandre Pato will not be leaving the San Siro this summer, despite continued speculation over his future.

Pato is one of Europe's hottest properties and has been on the radar of the top clubs on the continent for some time, with speculation suggesting that Real Madrid and Chelsea are both pondering summer moves for the Brazil international.

However, Veloz claims that his client has no intention of leaving the San Siro, where he is under contract until 2014, and will stay at Milan in the summer.

EPL - Ferguson rules out summer spending spree

Ferguson's Manchester United transfer budget has been the subject of intense speculation ever since Cristiano Ronaldo's world record £80 million move to Real Madrid last year.

Club officials, including Ferguson himself, have continually insisted it is his decision alone to leave the vast majority unspent because he does not believe there is value in the market.

It was felt the true test would come this summer, particularly as Saturday's defeat to Chelsea has raised doubts over the longevity of stalwarts Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Gary Neville, and the suitability of their present replacements.

Karim Benzema is one of the men who has been most heavily linked with Old Trafford given Ferguson tried to sign him from Lyon last year, since when the striker has failed to make an impression with Real Madrid.

A goalkeeper is also a priority given Edwin van der Sar will celebrate his 40th birthday next term, with United fans hoping for many more besides.

EPL - Benitez refuses to give up on Champions League

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has urged his players to still believe they qualify for next season's Champions League.

After Sunday's 1-1 draw at Birmingham, Benitez's side trail fourth-placed Manchester City by four points, and fifth-placed Tottenham by three, and they have played a game more than their two rivals.

Other than an Anfield date with Chelsea on May 1, their other four matches appear on paper to be more straightforward - they are at home to Fulham and West Ham, and travel to Burnley and Hull. But when you consider their last away win in the league was at the end of December - a run of seven matches - nothing can be taken for granted.

EPL - Lloyds starts to look into Portsmouth's books

Portsmouth could soon have a new owner after representatives of an investor interested in taking charge of the stricken club began the process of due diligence.

Rob Lloyd, the businessman fronting the bid for an unnamed colleague, arrived at the club on Tuesday morning with a lawyer to commence the study of their accounts.

No exclusivity period has been entered into due to the additional financial commitment that would have entailed - a fee of £5,000 was required simply to gain access to the books.

Lloyd has repeatedly refused to disclose the identity of the money-man behind the bid for the club, who entered administration in February.

Primera - Clemente takes over at Valladolid

Former Spain boss Javier Clemente has been confirmed as the new coach of Primera Liga strugglers Real Valladolid.

The experienced Clemente has been appointed until the end of the season and replaces Onesimo, who was sacked on Monday. The 60-year-old will take charge of the team for the first time in Saturday's clash at fellow strugglers Tenerife.

Onesimo only took over from Jose Luis Mendilibar at the start of February but was unable to guide them towards safety, winning just one game.

EPL - Song out of Barcelona match

Arsenal will be without midfielder Alex Song for their Champions League clash at Barcelona on Tuesday.

Song suffered a groin injury during the 1-0 win over Wolves on Saturday and missed training on Monday, and Arsene Wenger has now confirmed that he will not be part of the squad to head to Camp Nou.

Thomas Vermaelen looks certain to take one of the central defensive berths but, with William Gallas and Song both missing, Wenger may be pressed into an uncomfortable call on veteran Sol Campbell's match fitness, with Mikael Silvestre his only other first-team option.

Arsenal are already without Cesc Fabregas and Andrei Arshavin for the match, while Robin van Persie is still at least two weeks away from a return.

Primera - Zlatan to miss Arsenal match

Barcelona striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic has been ruled out of Tuesday's Champions League quarter-final second leg against Arsenal through injury.

The Sweden international suffered a calf injury whilst warming-up for Saturday's Primera Division clash with Athletic Bilbao and, after being replaced in the line-up by Bojan Krkic, underwent initial tests on Saturday.

Ibrahimovic scored both goals as Barca drew the first leg of their quarter-final tie with Arsenal 2-2 at the Emirates Stadium last Wednesday, taking his tally to five goals in four games.

Centre-back Gerard Pique, who is suspended for the Arsenal match, is also a question mark for the match against Madrid as he suffered a thigh injury that could keep him sidelined for up to seven days.

EPL - McArthur set for Wigan trial

Hamilton midfielder James McArthur has accepted an offer to spend a week on trial at Wigan Athletic later this month.

Latics boss Roberto Martinez has openly expressed an interest in the Scotland Under-21 international.

Now the 22-year-old is hoping to show he is good enough to join former Accies team-mate James McCarthy in the Premier League.

EPL - Allardyce urges Pedersen to sign new contract

Sam Allardyce has urged Morten Gamst Pedersen to finally sign a new deal now Blackburn's own Premier League future is virtually secure.

Victory at bitter rivals Burnley on Sunday saw Rovers pass the 40-point barrier, leaving them 14 clear of the bottom three.

With six matches to play, it is almost inconceivable Blackburn will be dragged into any kind of late dogfight, which is why Allardyce can now turn his attention to strengthening his squad.

The Blackburn manager's main priority, aside from securing another striker, is to see midfielder Pedersen put pen to paper on a fresh deal. The Norwegian, who has spent the last six years at Blackburn, has so far shown little indication of committing himself.

EPL - League confirms Hammers complaint

The Premier League has received an official complaint from West Ham regarding Fulham's team selection against Hull City on March 27.

Roy Hodgson made six changes from the side that lost the FA Cup quarter-final to Tottenham three days previously, with Bobby Zamora, Danny Murphy and Damien Duff heading the list of players who did not make the trip to the KC Stadium.

In their absence, West Ham felt aggrieved when Fulham lost 2-0 in a result that took Hull level with the Hammers on 27 points. Hull also have a game in hand over West Ham, who currently occupy 17th place.

A number of teams have been accused of fielding weakened sides in recent seasons and the league recently took action against Wolverhampton Wanderers after Mick McCarthy made ten changes for an away game against Manchester United in December.

Wolves lost 3-0 to United and were subsequently handed a £25,000 suspended fine by the Premier League. They won their following home game against Burnley 2-0.

Serie A - Colomba agrees new deal

Bologna coach Franco Colomba has today agreed a new two-year deal with the Serie A club.

The 55-year-old, who began his playing career with Bologna in 1973, took over the hotseat from Giuseppe Papadopulo last October. The club have climbed away from the relegation zone under his leadership and head into tomorrow's clash with leaders Inter Milan at the San Siro seven points clear of the bottom three.

Colomba, whose 20-year managerial career has also included spells with Reggina, Livorno, Napoli and Cagliari, had no hesitation in committing his future to Bologna.

EPL - Gallas to miss rest of season

Arsene Wenger has confirmed that William Gallas is likely to miss the rest of the season following his latest injury setback.

Gallas, who is out of contract at the end of the season, suffered a recurrence of a calf problem against Barcelona on Wednesday and Wenger said after the match that he feared it would prove to be a long-term problem.

There was more positive news on Thursday as it emerged that he could return in three weeks, but Wenger has now said that such a swift return is unlikely.

EPL - Fabregas out with leg fracture

Cesc Fabregas will be out for at least six weeks with a cracked bone in his right fibula.

Fabregas, who had been a doubt for Wednesday's Champions League quarter-final first leg against Barcelona after suffering severe bruising to his knee and leg at Birmingham, sustained the small fracture when fouled by Carles Puyol for the crucial late penalty which earned Arsenal a 2-2 draw.

Although he was able to get up and fire home from the spot he was immediately in discomfort during his celebration.

He is definitely out of the rest of the Premier League season, and would struggle to make the Champions League final at the Bernabeu on May 22.

EPL - Rooney faces two to three weeks out

Sir Alex Ferguson has confirmed Wayne Rooney will be sidelined for two to three weeks as a result of the minor ankle ligament damage sustained in Tuesday's Champions League defeat to Bayern Munich.

Rooney's condition has been cause for real concern in recent days after he turned over on his right ankle in Munich and had to be helped off the pitch. He then left the Allianz Arena on crutches and with a protective boot in place.

While he will miss Saturday's crucial game against Chelsea and the second leg of the Champions League quarter-final against Bayern, Rooney could in theory be available when United face rivals Manchester City at Eastlands on April 17.

Serie A - Balotelli makes peace with Mourinho

Inter Milan striker Mario Balotelli has ended his feud with club coach Jose Mourinho by issuing an apology.

The 19-year-old, who has been linked with a move to AC Milan, reportedly infuriated Mourinho by donning a Rossoneri jersey during a television show last month.

Balotelli last played for Inter on March 7, when he started in a goalless draw against Genoa, and has been out of favour ever since.