Karim Benzema, who is under investigation for alleged blackmailing, should not be called up to the France squad, French Prime minister Manuel Valls said.

“If a minister was under formal investigation, they would not be in the government. In a way, it’s the same for the France team,” Valls told Europe 1 radio.

Benzema was put under formal judicial investigation last month in connection with an alleged attempt to blackmail Lyon forward Valbuena with the use of a sex video.

Both players were omitted by coach Didier Deschamps for friendlies against Germany and England last month.

Hamburg’s Lasogga avoids surgery

Hamburg striker Pierre-Michel Lasogga will not require shoulder surgery and will return to fitness quicker than expected.

Lasogga, who has scored six goals for the northern club, injured his shoulder during Saturday’s 3-1 derby win at Werder Bremen, having sustained the same injury late last season.

“He will not undergo surgery for his injured right shoulder,” the club said.

“That was decided in a meeting of the player and the doctors on Tuesday. He will receive treatment and will do power training but he will not be available against Mainz (on Saturday).”

Monk must wake up to reality – Roberts

Swansea City manager Garry Monk needs to wake up to the fact that the club are fighting for Premier League survival, according to former Wales international Iwan Roberts.

After Sunday’s 1-0 loss to Liverpool, which left Swansea four points above the relegation zone, Monk struck a defiant note when asked if they could be dragged into the relegation dogfight.

“He needs to wake up, I think, because they’re right in it, they really are,” Roberts said.

“Only Villa in the bottom six have got a worse record in the last 10 games than Swansea.

“For him to say they’re not in a relegation fight – they’re four points from the bottom three – they’re right in amongst it.”

Moyes open to another Euro club

David Moyes has left the door open on a return to club management in Europe despite his first stint on the continent ending in him being sacked by Spanish club Real Sociedad.

Moyes, who joined Sociedad in 2014 after an ill-fated spell with Manchester United, was given his marching orders by the La Liga outfit last month.

“I’m open minded and Spain whetted my appetite. If the right opportunities came up in the major leagues I’d be interested,” the 52-year-old told the BBC.

Moyes left with the Basque club in 16th place in the table.

Delneri takes charge at struggling Verona

Former Juventus and Roma coach Luigi Delneri has been appointed by Serie A strugglers Verona.

Delneri takes over as head coach from Andrea Mandorlini who was sacked after his winless team slumped to the bottom of the Serie A table on Sunday following a 3-2 defeat at Frosinone.

Delneri’s appointment was announced on the club’s official website and he will be joined by Francesco Conti (assistant coach), Maurizio D’Angelo (technical assistant) and Luca Alimonta (athletic trainer).

Mandorlini won two promotions with Verona but after two promising seasons they are staring at relegation having failed to win any of their 14 games.

Delneri’s first match in charge of Verona is at home to Empoli on December 6.

Butland not for sale, says Stoke boss

Stoke City’s goalkeeper Jack Butland will not be leaving the Britannia Stadium anytime soon and is undervalued at £20 million, manager Mark Hughes said.

The 22-year-old has been linked with a move to Liverpool and Everton after keeping five clean sheets in 15 appearances for the club in all competitions this season following the departure of Asmir Begovic to Chelsea during the close-season.

“Jack’s going nowhere. People are aware of him – and they have been for a long time,” Hughes said.

“Do I think £20m is a fair value? No. We wouldn’t place a value on him,” Hughes added.

EPL clubs increase spending on agents

English Premier League clubs spent almost £130 million on agents fees last year, an increase of £15 million from the previous period, figures showed.

Liverpool topped the list with £14.3 million, ahead of Man. United, whose spending almost doubled to £13.9 million, and Manchester City (£12.4 million).

Chelsea and Arsenal each paid out £11.9 million, with the latter almost tripling their outlay, while promoted Watford spent the smallest amount at £1.6m.

The exact total spent by the current 20 top flight clubs was £129.86 million.