FOOTBALL SHORTS

RAFA BENITEZ challenged Islam Slimani to save his Premier League career after finally returning from injury. The Algerian striker could make his Newcastle debut against Huddersfield today after joining from Leicester on loan in January. ‘He wants to impress and I am sure over the next two months he will try to do his best because it impacts on his future too,’ Benitez said.

THE Russian Football Union is warning players against drinking ‘exotic tea’ or smoking shisha pipes as it tries to avoid any doping cases ahead of its home World Cup.

FORMER Nottingham Forest right back Gary Charles has been appointed as the new boss of National League North side Nuneaton Town.