Lukaku faces fitness test for FA Cup clash
LONDON: Manchester United striker Romelu Lukaku has a foot problem and faces a fitness test ahead of Saturday’s FA Cup quarter-final clash at Wolverhampton Wanderers, manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said on Friday.
The in-form Belgian international, who has scored six goals in his last four matches in all competitions, joins a long list of injured players at the club.
“There are so many players out... he (Lukaku) has had a sore foot this week, he’s being assessed. Hopefully he’ll get through today,” Solskjaer said. .
ENRIQUE RINGS THE CHANGES FOR SPAIN
MADRID: Luis Enrique named a much-changed Spain squad on Friday as Isco, Saul Niguez and Koke were all left out while the 33-year-old Jesus Navas earned a surprise recall.
Eight players were called up who were not in the previous squad, including Navas, Sergi Gomez, Juan Bernat, Fabian Ruiz, Dani Parejo, Sergio Canales, Iker Muniain and Jaime Mata. Among those to miss out were Isco, who will be hoping for more games under new Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane, as well as Atletico Madrid pair Saul and Koke.
Spain play two qualifiers for European Championships — at home to Norway on Mar 23 and away to Malta on Mar 26.
MAN CITY FACE FIFA TRANSFER BAN: REPORT
LONDON: Manchester City will be banned by FIFA from making signings in the next two transfer windows after they broke rules related to the protection of youth players and third-party ownership, according to a report in the Sun newspaper. The club are already being investigated by the Football Association and Premier League over allegations related to youth transfers and financial fair play rules.
CANNAVARO NAMED CHINA NATIONAL COACH
SHANGHAI: Italian World Cup-winning captain Fabio Cannavaro was named coach of China on Friday, spearheading the ambitious country’s attempts to become a footballing force at last.
It was not immediately clear if he will lead the team on a temporary or permanent basis.