FOOTBALL SHORTS

LIVERPOOL’S injury crisis has intensified with Diogo Jota and Curtis Jones ruled out of Sunday’s Carabao Cup final. Scans have confirmed the pair will not be available to face Chelsea, when Liverpool will also be without Trent Alexander-Arnold. Dominik Szoboszlai and Alisson are also major doubts due to hamstring issues.

Jota and Jones were withdrawn in the first half of the 4-1 win at Brentford on Saturday with respective knee and ankle injuries.

Liverpool will await further tests before putting a time scale on their recoveries but there are concerns Jota faces two months out.

÷ BIRMINGHAM CITY manager Tony Mowbray has temporarily stepped away from his position as he undergoes treatment for a health issue. The Blues confirmed yesterday that 60-year-old Mowbray will be absent for ‘approximately six to eight weeks’, with his assistant manager Mark Venus taking charge with immediate effect.

Former Sunderland boss Mowbray has been in charge since January 8, after replacing Wayne Rooney, who was sacked after just 15 games. Mowbray said: ‘Treatment will necessitate that I temporarily step away from the technical area.

‘I will continue to provide advice and counsel while undergoing treatment.’ ■ SUNDERLAND have sacked manager Michael Beale after just 12 games in charge. Former Rangers boss Beale replaced Mowbray in December but won just four games. Assistant manager Mike Dodds will take charge until the end of the season.

÷ WEST BROM have signed former France international Yann M’Vila until the end of the season.

The 33-year-old, who also had interest from Sunderland, worked with Albion boss Carlos Corberan in Greece and was keen on a reunion.

‘I know the manager really well,’ said M’Vila. ‘He contacted me and asked me to come — straight away, I said yes.’