Sporting briefs...

Conventry: Former Leicester boss Micky Adams has been appointed manager of second division strugglers Coventry. Adams, 43 and a Coventry defender from 1983-87, takes over three months after he resigned from Midlands rivals Leicester and two weeks after the departure of his predecessor at Highfield Road, Peter Reid. Adams, whose coaching career included spells at Fulham, Swansea, Brentford and Brighton, took Leicester back to the top-flight in 2002-03 - only for them to then be relegated for the second time in three seasons.

Inverness: Inverness Caledonian Thistle are to end their ground share saga with Aberdeen and the long trek there and back of more than 200 miles (320 km) for "home" games at Pittodrie. They confirmed yesterday their revamped Caledonian Stadium now meets Scottish Premier League criteria and they will meet Dunfermline in their first official home game on January 29. Faithful Inverness fans have clocked up over 6,000 miles (9,600 km) to see their team play. After 22 matches this season Inverness are ninth in the 12-strong league.

Caneira: Valencia defender Marco Caneira has said he will never forget the support he received from his team-mates and coach Claudio Ranieri following his eight-month-old daughter's sudden death before last Sunday's league match at Osasuna. "I will obviously remember everything that has happened for the rest of my life," the 25-year-old Portuguese defender said. "My deepest thanks go to the team and the coach who have given me and my wife fantastic support throughout all of this. The boss knows that it is impossible to put a value on all that they have done for me. He and my team mates will always have a special place in my heart."

Spanish Cup: Second division Valladolid, having disposed of Real Madrid in the King's Cup earlier this week, were handed a quarter-final tie with Athletic Bilbao when the draw was made yesterday. Valladolid claimed a thoroughly deserved away goals win over Real after coming from a goal down to earn themselves a 1-1 draw at the Bernabeu on Wednesday and will now travel to San Mames for next week's first leg. Giant-killers Gramenet were given a daunting task after being drawn against Real Betis.

Correia: Sevilla have signed highly-rated Brazil youngster Adriano Correia on a 5-1/2-year deal from Coritiba, the Primera Liga club said yesterday. The 20-year-old, who can play either left back or left midfield, was a member of the team that won the World Youth Championship in 2003 and was also part of the Brazil squad that reached last year's Copa America final.

MFA Division III: Luqa vs Kirkop 1-1; Xghajra vs Birzebbuga 0-2.

In England: League One - Sheffield Wed. vs Port Vale 1-0.

Snooker: Welsh Open QFs - Hawkins bt Ebdon 5-3; O'Sullivan bt Robertson 5-4; King bt Day 5-4.