Today's other stories in brief

Ballack ruled out

Michael Ballack has withdrawn from the Germany squad for next month's Euro 2008 qualifiers against San Marino and Slovakia with an ankle injury. Ballack, the German captain, hurt his left ankle in Chelsea's goalless draw with Newcastle on April 22nd and underwent surgery five days later in Germany.

He was initially named in the squad by coach Joachim Low, but has lost his battle to recover in time for the matches at the start of June. Low said he would not call up another player to replace his skipper.

Ballack's withdrawal is the latest in a long line of injury blows for Germany with Bastian Schweinsteiger, Lukas Podolski, Tim Borowski, Oliver Neuville, Gerald Asamoah and Mike Hanke all also ruled out.

Germany play San Marino on June 2nd in Nuremberg and Slovakia on June 6th in Hamburg. They top Group D on 13 points with the Czech Republic and Republic of Ireland, but have played one game less than the Czechs and two fewer than Ireland.

Spurs still keen on Bale

Tottenham still appear to be winning the race to sign Wales left-back Gareth Bale from Southampton. The 17-year-old has also been linked with Manchester United and Arsenal but Spurs look set to move early. Bale is expected to bolster a defence that conceded 54 league goals last season.

Spurs did not have a regular left-back last season and Bale's attacking instincts would also suit boss Martin Jol, although the formalities have not been announced.

Mourinho confident

Jose Mourinho insists that captain John Terry and Frank Lampard could not find a better club and expects talks over new deals for both players to reach a successful conclusion. Mourinho has suggested that discussions over contract extensions for the England pair are ongoing and believes that both players will stay at Stamford Bridge.

Terry and Lampard are both keen to remain at Chelsea but want pay parity with top earners Andriy Shevchenko and Michael Ballack. But while Mourinho accepts that a change in salary is not as easy to accomplish when players are already in the top earning bracket, he insists that neither player could find a better club to move to.

The Portuguese said: "They are very important to all of us and I don't think they can find a better club than us. There are big clubs in the world, I am not trying to disrespect those, but to feel like they feel here, I don't think they can find better."

Owen back for England

Michael Owen will make his first international appearance since the World Cup after being named in the England B side to face Albania tonight. The Newcastle striker has not played for his country since suffering a serious knee injury in last summer's World Cup group match with Sweden.

The 27-year-old will be partnered by Manchester United's Alan Smith, with Reading's Nicky Shorey named at left-back.

Tottenham duo Ledley King and Michael Dawson are the two centre-halves with Phil Neville at right-back.

Aaron Lennon, David Bentley, Jermaine Jenas and Gareth Barry make up the midfield.

Baptista to return

Julio Baptista is set to return to Spain following his season with Arsenal.

The 25-year-old Brazil international was on loan from Real Madrid, with Jose Antonio Reyes going the other way, and had asked his advisers in London towards the end of the season to discuss his future with Arsenal.

"Arsenal have told me they are not able to buy me and so all I can do is return to Real Madrid," he said in Spanish newspaper Marca.

"I have enjoyed my season with Arsenal and in England. I adapted well. I didn't play much at first but finished much better."

Revie shows his worth

Duncan Revie, son of legendary former Leeds manager Don, has stepped up his interest in taking control of Leeds United by proving to the club's administrators he has the money in place to buy them.

Tonight's fixtures

(7.45 unless stated)

LEAGUE OF IRELAND PREMIER DIVISION: Drogheda United v Shamrock Rovers, Galway United v Bohemians, St Patrick's Athletic v Sligo Rovers, UCD v Derry City, Waterford United v Longford Town. First Division: Finn Harps v Cobh Ramblers (8.0), Kilkenny City v Monaghan United (7.30), Wexford Youths v Athlone Town (7.30).

B International: England B v Albania (at Turf Moor, 8.0).