Football News

Liverpool midfielder Mohamed Sissoko hopes to return to action next month. The Mali international has resumed training after dislocating his shoulder in a League Cup match against Birmingham in November.

Sissoko is making good progress with his fitness and has set his sights on returning to the Liverpool side for the derby with Everton on February 3.

"I'm hoping to make it back for the first game in February, which is the Merseyside derby with Everton," Sissoko said. "I've had some serious injuries but that is something you have to live with in this game. I've worked hard to get better and I'm now feeling okay."

Totti considers Italy farewell

Roma captain Francesco Totti has admitted that there is a distinct possibility that he won't make a return to the Italy national team.

The influential midfielder has turned down calls for a return to the national team following Italy's World Cup winning campaign in Germany, insisting that he would not play for Italy until he had recovered his best form.

He later declared that would not happen until the metal plates in his ankle were removed next year, but these plans might have now changed.

"The supporters are asking when I will return to the national team but I first have to decide if I will return," Totti was quoted as saying.

"There hasn't been anything between me and coach Roberto Donadoni. Things are clear and we will speak again at the end of the season. However, the final in Berlin might have been my last match for Italy."

Larsson to decide on United stay

Henrik Larsson's 10-week loan to Manchester United could be extended, the Swedish striker's club said yesterday after his goalscoring debut at the weekend.

The 35-year-old former Barcelona and Celtic striker joined United from his hometown club Helsingborg on January 1 in a deal that is due to end in March. The Swedish season starts in April.

But Helsingborg chairman Sten-Inge Fredrin made it clear they would not stand in Larsson's way, telling Sky Sports: "If Manchester want to have him for longer it's up to Henrik to tell us if that is what he wants too. After that, we have to see if there is a possibility of a solution between the clubs."

Larsson showed he had not lost his touch when opening the scoring with a well-taken opportunist goal in Sunday's 2-1 FA Cup third round win over Aston Villa.

Larsson was thrilled by the Old Trafford atmosphere, saying: "That's what you want to play football in, and in front of as many people as possible. Here, there was over 70,000 and it was fantastic."

SFA block Smith's Rangers move

The Scottish FA have rejected national team manager Walter Smith's request to quit his post to become Rangers manager.

An SFA spokeswoman said yesterday: "Following contact from Rangers FC the SFA held a meeting this morning with Walter Smith.

"At this meeting, Walter Smith asked to be relieved of his contract as Scotland's national team manager. This request was refused. Rangers FC have been advised accordingly."

Rangers French manager Paul Le Guen left by mutual consent last week after seven months in charge.

Grygera targets Juve switch

Ajax defender Zdenek Grygera is expected to join Juventus on a free transfer at the end of the season, the player's agent said.

The Czech international, whose contract with the Dutch club expires in June, has been tipped to move to Italian football at the end of the season and Juventus admitted their interest in his services.

"There are several important Italian clubs who would like to sign Grygera and I have scheduled meetings with all of them," said agent David Nehoda.

"Juventus are our first option, not only because we have an excellent relationship with the club, but also because of Pavel Nedved's presence in the team."

Thuram not seeking Barca exit

Lilian Thuram has distanced himself from speculation linking him with a move to Marseille.

Reports in France claimed that Marseille were keen on signing the Barcelona defender whose future with the European champions has been the subject of speculation with the player thought to be unhappy with a lack of first-team action.

However, the French international insists he has no plans to leave the Nou Camp. "I feel fine where I am," Thuram told Le Journal du Dimanche. "I want to stay with Barcelona but you never know what can happen.

"If (Marseille chairman) Pape Diouf calls me, I will tell him I am a Barcelona player."

Galliani rejects striker talk

Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani has declared that the Rossoneri are not in the market for a new striker after Willy Aubameyang's excellent performance in the Luigi Berlusconi Trophy.

Milan defeated Juventus 3-2 on Saturday in what used to be a traditional August meeting, thanks to a late goal by the 19-year-old French hitman.

"Vincenzo Iaquinta? Antonio Cassano? Ronaldo? No thanks, we already have Aubameyang," Galliani told Milan Channel.

"We will make no new signings in our striking department - if we decide we need someone else we will move the youngster to the first team," added the official.