Dudek: Liverpool goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek will return for Poland for their October 12 World Cup qualifier against England. Liverpool had said Dudek would be out of action for up to three months from early August after suffering a fracture-dislocation of his elbow during training. Poland are top of qualifying Group Six with 24 points from nine games, ahead of England with 19 points from eight, and can win the group with a draw in Manchester.
Metzelder: Christoph Metzelder has earned a recall to the squad for Germany's next two friendlies, two-and-a-half years after his last full international appearance. The 24-year-old Borussia Dortmund defender, back to full fitness after an injury nightmare, was named in Juergen Klinsmann's squad yesterday for games away to Turkey on October 8 and at home to China four days later. Oliver Kahn returns in place of Jens Lehmann as Klinsmann continues to rotate his two senior goalkeepers.
Messi: Argentina striker Lionel Messi has obtained Spanish citizenship and is free to play for Barcelona in the Primera Liga. The 18-year-old prodigy had been restricted to appearances in the Champions League for Barca this season after doubts were raised over his status as an "assimilated player" in Spain. It had been assumed that, because he joined the club as a 13-year-old and played the last two seasons in the youth teams, he would automatically be considered an assimilated European Union player. Under Spanish Football Federation rules, each club is allowed only three non-European Union players in their squad.
Cocu: Dutch midfielder Philip Cocu has been handed a two-match ban after being sent off during his team's World Cup qualifier win over Andorra this month. Cocu was shown the red card in the 38th minute of the 4-0 Group One win for elbowing an opponent. The 34-year-old will miss the Netherlands' last two qualifiers against the Czech Republic in Prague on October 8 and at home to Macedonia four days later.
Sammer: Matthias Sammer has turned down an offer to coach Bayer Leverkusen and instead plans a study tour of Europe. Sammer lost his job as Stuttgart coach at the end of last season after the club drifted out of the Champions League places to finish fifth. The former European Player of the Year was the favourite to take over at Leverkusen following the dismissal of Klaus Augenthaler on September 16 but he wants to hone his coaching skills before taking on another job.
Austria: Austria's FA want Rapid Vienna's Josef Hickersberger to return as national coach when Hans Krankl's contract runs out at the end of the year. Krankl's contract will not be renewed after Austria failed to qualify for next year's World Cup. Hickersberger, who was last in charge of Austria 15 years ago, said his focus was now on Rapid Vienna.
In England: Premier League - Tottenham 1 (Defoe 8) Fulham 0.
In Italy: Serie B - Bari Vs Bologna 0-1; Piacenza Vs Albinoleffe 1-0. Serie C1(A) Spezia Vs Giulianova 1-0.
MFA Division Two: Attard vs Melita 1-1.