Sporting briefs

Hiddink: Guus Hiddink has stepped down as coach of Turkey after his side fell to Croatia in the Euro 2012 qualifying play-offs. Turkey lost 3-0 at home to Croatia in the first leg before a 0-0 draw in Tuesday’s return leg confirmed their fate.

Leicester: Leicester City ap-pointed Nigel Pearson as their new manager. The 48-year-old returns to the Foxes having signed a contract that lasts until the end of the 2013/2014 season, replacing the sacked Sven-Goran Eriksson after a compensation package was agreed with Hull City.

Agbonlahor: Aston Villa are hopeful striker Gabriel Agbonlahor will recover from a hamstring injury suffered on England duty in time for Monday’s Premier League game at Tottenham. Agbonlahor has yet to join in training after being forced to withdraw from England’s friendlies with Spain and Sweden. “Gabby has not joined the group yet but we are hopeful he will be back towards the end of the week,” manager Alex McLeish said.

Asia shortlist: Asia’s football body said that six players, including Japan’s Shinji Kagawa and Keisuke Honda, had been shortlisted for its coveted Player of the Year award. Others in line for the award are Iranian defender Hadi Aghily, former winner Server Djeparov from Uzbekistan, Asian Cup top scorer Koo Ja-Cheol, from South Korea, and his fellow countryman Yeom Ki-Hun.

Well move: Stephen Hughes has signed for former club Motherwell until January 3. The 29-year-old was a free agent after leaving Norwich City, and after being invited to train at Fir Park by boss Stuart McCall, he im-pressed in three bounce games which led to the offer of a short-term contract. The former Ran-gers and Leicester City mid-fielder will go straight into the first-team squad for Saturday’s trip to Aberdeen in the Scottish Premier League.

World Cup: South America qualifiers – Chile vs Paraguay 2-0; Venezuela vs Bolivia 1-0.