Today's other stories in brief
City criticised over Gago move
REAL MADRID midfielder Fernando Gagos agent has hit out at Manchester City over their handling of their bid for the player.
City lodged a bid for Gago last week and the player appeared confident of sealing a move to Eastlands.
But Roberto Mancini seemingly preferred to sign McDonald Mariga – and City agreed terms with Parma only for the Kenyan to be refused a work permit.
That left City with few other options, and they tried to salvage a deal late on Monday for Gago – but there was not enough time to seal the transfer.
And the Argentine star has been left far from happy with the Premier League club.
City used us, Gagos agent Marcello Lombilla said.
This has never happened to me before. I dont want to talk about the figures that City were offering because they approached Madrid without even knowing there wasnt physically enough time to put something together.”
Fabregas will return to Barcelona 'sooner or later'
BARCELONA vice-president Alfons Godall is convinced Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas will return to Camp Nou at some point in the future.
The Spain international progressed through the youth ranks at Barcelona before moving to London in 2003.
He has developed into one of the finest midfielders in world football under Arsene Wenger and has always stressed that he is committed to the Gunners.
However, speculation over a return to Spain has never been far away despite the fact that Arsenal would fight hard to keep such an important player.
Real Madrid are understood to be interested in snapping up Fabregas but Godall expects him to end up at Barcelona. Godall, who hopes to succeed Joan Laporta as president, believes that even if Fabregas does not make the move at the end of this season he will one day return to Barcelona. “Sooner or later Cesc will end up coming back,” Godall said yesterday.
Egypt in top 10 in world rankings
AFRICAN Champions Egypt have climbed into the top 10 in Fifa’s latest world ranking released yesterday.
The Pharaohs moved up 14 places to number 10 and are now Africa’s number one team.
Not only is this Egypt’s highest placing ever, it’s also the second highest ever by an African team after Nigeria placed fifth in 1994.
Egypt beat Ghana’s Black Stars 1-0 in Sunday’s final to win the Africa Cup of Nations in Angola.
Nigeria moved seven places to 15th and are now Africa’s second best placed team in the rankings.
Other big movers in the Fifa ranking are Ghana who moved seven places to 27th and are now fifth on the African table.
Spain continue to occupy the top spot in the world ranking ahead of Brazil and The Netherlands.
The Republic of Ireland are down two places at 37th while Northern Ireland remain at 40th. England stay in the top 10 at ninth.
Aurelio may make derby
LIVERPOOL defender Fabio Aurelio could be back in contention for Saturday’s Merseyside derby against Everton at Anfield. The Brazilian suffered a calf injury in the Premier League draw at Stoke a fortnight ago but is now pushing to return. Assistant manager Sammy Lee said: “Fabio is back in training which is good news. Whether he will be ready for Saturday, well we will have to assess that in the next few days.”
Vieira ready for debut after injury
PATRICK VIEIRA has revealed he is ready to return to the top flight of English football after a four-season absence.
The former Arsenal midfielder hopes to make his long-awaited debut for Manchester City on Saturday against Hull.
Vieira (33) has recovered from an ankle injury that has delayed his progress since arriving from Inter Milan.
In World Cup year the France international is now looking to kick on at Eastlands.
“It has been a frustrating spell with the injury. Thank God it is over and I am ready to start, ” he said yesterday.
“I suffered it in the last game for Inter and did not realise it was that bad. City have been right behind me and I have to thank them for that.
“I am looking forward to playing in the Premier League again and getting a run of games.”
Inter will travel with one-goal lead
Inter Milan claimed a narrow advantage last night to take into the second leg of their Coppa Italia semi-final against Fiorentina as Diego Milito’s goal proved the difference in a 1-0 win at the San Siro.
The hosts have claimed 18 points more than the Viola in Serie A this season, but their perceived superiority was little in evidence as the visitors battled hard against the league leaders but without reward.
Milito settled the first leg with the only goal after 34 minutes to install Jose Mourinho’s men as narrow favourites ahead of the return leg in Florence on April 14th. McDonald Mariga, a deadline- day arrival at the San Siro from Parma following the collapse of his move to Manchester City, made his Inter debut.
