In brief...

Cech: Chelsea keeper Petr Cech puts his success down to team spirit and a side that knows how to defend. The lofty 22-year-old Czech goes into today's match against Man. City defending a 781-minute clean sheet. "It's not just four defenders and a goalkeeper. We are playing defensively well as a team. It's difficult to get through our block," Cech said. Owner Roman Abramovich snapped up Cech from Stade Rennes in France for nine million pounds. Arsenal had failed to secure his services two years earlier. Barcelona also tried.

England Squad: Prolific Crystal Palace striker Andy Johnson has been named in the England squad for Wednesday's friendly against the Netherlands at Villa Park. Middlesbrough's in-form left midfielder Stewart Downing is also in line for his first cap after being selected in Sven-Goran Eriksson's 24-man squad yesterday. Missing from the squad is central defender Rio Ferdinand who has a hamstring injury. Sol Campbell is also injured meaning John Terry is likely to partner Ledley King at the back.

Eto'o: Barcelona's Cameroon striker Samuel Eto'o says Spain coach Luis Aragones is not a racist. However, Eto'o said Aragones had once called him a 'black s***' when they were both at Real Mallorca. "I've known him for a long time and I can assure you Luis is anything but racist," Eto'o said.

Hildebrand: Keeper Timo Hildebrand has changed his mind about leaving Stuttgart and signed a two-year contract extension with the Bundesliga club. The 25-year-old had been set to leave after failing to reach agreement over a new contract last month. German media reported last week he was ready to renegotiate after severing ties with his agent and Stuttgart announced yesterday he had put pen to paper on a new deal running to the end of the 2006-07 season.

Keane: Roy Keane has withdrawn from Ireland's squad for Wednesday's home friendly against Portugal because of a knee injury. "It is not wise for him to play, he needs a break," United manager Alex Ferguson said. Ireland's friendly at Lansdowne Road is in preparation for next month's World Cup qualifier against Israel.