A round-up of today's other stories in brief
Bendtner could yet feature
NICKLAS Bendtner’s ankle injury is not as bad as first feared and the Arsenal striker could yet feature in Denmark’s Euro 2012 qualifier against Norway this weekend.
The 23-year-old hobbled out of Wednesday’s training session in Helsingor and needed an ice pack on his ankle before being taken back to the team hotel.
However, it is understood Bendtner suffered a mild sprain and could yet feature for Morten Olsen’s side against their Scandinavian rivals tomorrow.
Arsenal physio Colin Lewin has been in regular contact with the Danish medical team on the severity and extent of the injury, which is not thought to be as serious as first feared.
Along with Bendtner, Nicklas Pedersen and Simon Kjaer also suffered knocks, with Denmark team doctor Soren Kaalund admitting a detailed prognosis for the trio was not yet available.
But it seems Bendtner’s injury is minor.
(all kick-offs in Irish-time)
European Championship Qualifying: Group A – Austria v Belgium (7.30pm). Group C – Serbia v Northern Ireland (7.30pm, live on Sky Sports 1); Slovenia v Italy (7.45pm, live on ITV4). Group D – Luxembourg v France (8pm). Group E – Hungary v Holland (7.30pm). Group I – Spain v Czech Republic (9pm).
Internationals: China PR v New Zealand (11.30am); Estonia v Uruguay (5pm); Jamaica v Montenegro (3pm); Lithuania v Poland (7.30pm); South Korea v Honduras (11am).
Under-21 Friendly: Portugal v Rep of Ireland (5.15pm).
European Under-17 Championship: Elite Round, Group Three – Greece v Rep of Ireland (11am).
English League One – Brentford v Carlisle (7.45pm); Bristol Rovers v Peterborough (7.45pm); Hartlepool v Rochdale (7.45pm); Milton Keynes Dons v Walsall (7.45pm). League Two – Lincoln City v Rotherham (7.45pm); Northampton v Torquay (7.45pm).
Gillespie signs for Longford Town
First Division side Longford Town have signed one-time Manchester United and Northern Ireland winger Keith Gillespie until the end of the season.
The 36-year-old, who was released by English Conference side Darlington in December, also played for Newcastle United, Blackburn Rovers, Leicester City and Sheffield United and was capped 86 times by Northern Ireland.
Longford said that a friendship with the club’s board, through a mutual relationship with a sponsor, brought about the signing.
Gillespie will be unveiled as a Longford player before their next home game with Athlone Town tomorrow week.
Qatar develop artificial clouds
QATAR have developed artificial clouds to provide shade for stadiums and training grounds at the 2022 World Cup.
The extreme heat in summer months in the Middle Eastern country has led to concern about conditions at the tournament, with some suggesting it should be played in the winter.
Qatar say they will air condition the stadia via solar power and now scientists at Qatar University have designed the “cloud” which will cost €350,000 each.
Etuhu jailed for eight months
FORMER English Premier League footballer Kelvin Etuhu was jailed for eight months yesterday for a drunken street brawl which left a man with a broken jaw. The 22-year-old striker, recently released from his Manchester City contract, attacked Owen Fitzpatrick following a dispute in a casino cocktail bar, Warrington Crown Court heard. The six-foot footballer was caught on camera kicking the victim three times on the ground after he floored him with a punch.
Deco pops up for late winner
FORMER Portugal playmaker Deco made a dramatic Libertadores entrance, coming off the bench after a two-month injury lay-off to score a late winner as Fluminense beat America 3-2.
Deco, making his first appearance in the South American equivalent of the Champions League, also set up the equaliser as the Brazilian champions twice came from behind in the Group Three game on Wednesday. “I feel alive again,” the former Barcelona, Porto and Chelsea player said yesterday.
Benitez dreams about returning to Liverpool
RAFAEL Benitez admits “it would be a dream” to manage Liverpool again in the future. The Spaniard only left Anfield last summer and while his successor Roy Hodgson lasted barely half a season, he himself was similarly unsuccessful at Inter Milan.
Benitez admits Kenny Dalglish is doing an impressive job in his role as caretaker boss until the end of the season, but concedes he would jump at the chance to resume his love affair with the Kop.
“I am really proud of being the manager of Liverpool Football Club and I would like to come back in the future,” Benitez told Sky Sports News. “You never know (when) because Kenny is doing a really good job. It’s a question of time. You never know in the future.
“It would be a dream. I would be really pleased to come back in the future.”
Benitez revealed he would consider other offers in England but would never contemplate managing Liverpool’s rivals Everton and Manchester United.
Suarez allays any injury fears
Liverpool forward Luis Suarez has allayed any injury fears after withdrawing from international duty this week. The 24-year-old was substituted in the 2-0 win over Sunderland on Sunday soon after scoring a brilliant individual goal.
It was initially thought the Uruguay international had a groin injury, but it may have been linked to a back problem. Either way, it was enough for Suarez to pull out of the Uruguay squad preparing for today’s match against Estonia and next Tuesday’s friendly with the Republic of Ireland.
He has remained on Merseyside but is confident he will be fit for Liverpool’s next match against former manager Roy Hodgson’s West Brom side at the Hawthorns on April 2nd.
“In Liverpool working hard to be ready for next match,” Suarez said on his Twitter page. “I’ve been lucky, the injury isn’t that bad and it should be fine. I also want to tell you I’m a bit sad for not playing the match with Uruguay.”
