Ballack 'grateful'

Soccer Digest: Michael Ballack has rejected suggestions he was unhappy with his treatment from Chelsea's medical team.

The midfielder, who returned to first-team action against Liverpool in the League Cup on Wednesday night for the first time in eight months, insists he is grateful for all the club's efforts to get him back to fitness.

Media reports had suggested the Germany captain had been dismayed by the treatment he received from Chelsea as he struggled to recover from two ankle operations. He said: "I was surprised and disappointed when I read the words I was supposed to have said. The Chelsea medical department has made its best possible efforts. I am very grateful for the work that everyone has done - in particular the physios - over the last couple of months in order to get me finally back on the field."

Zokora appeal fails

Tottenham's problems in defence have intensified following Didier Zokora's unsuccessful appeal against his dismissal this week - and news Ledley King has not trained for a fortnight. The English FA upheld Steve Bennett's decision to give Zokora a straight red card against Manchester City on Tuesday night for his two-footed tackle on Elano. The Ivory Coast international will miss tomorrow's Premier League clash at rivals Arsenal, joining the club's long list of absentees.

Sullivan takes swipe

There is no evidence that Carson Yeung's failed takeover has subdued David Sullivan, writes Stuart James. The co-owner of Birmingham City yesterday expressed his desire to increase his shareholding in the club and risked poisoning relations with Steve Bruce after he described Alex McLeish as "a much better manager".

Sullivan also suggested Bruce had been close to the sack at Birmingham and described his move to Wigan as "incredibly good business".

In a statement to the stock exchange, Birmingham confirmed that talks with Grandtop International Holdings, Yeung's investment vehicle, were terminated after the St Andrew's board deemed today's deadline for the deal could not be met. Doubts have surrounded Yeung's ability to raise the full funds ever since he paid €21.5 million for a 29.9 per cent stake in the club in July.

• Guardian Service

Keane not fazed

Tottenham striker Robbie Keane believes players should brush off any abuse directed at them from the crowd. Portsmouth defender Sol Campbell, a former Spurs player, spoke out on Wednesday against the more vicious abuse players have to contend with, arguing that in any other walk of life the offender would be arrested.

But Spurs skipper Keane has a very laid-back attitude to fans who give him stick. He said: "Verbal abuse - I've had it, but nothing that would make me go crazy. I don't know what has been said to Sol. It obviously must have been something that really upset him for him to ask the FA to intervene."

In brief . . .

Bolton manager Gary Megsoninsists striker Nicolas Anelkais a long way from leaving the Reebok Stadium in the January transfer window despite interest from Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United . . . West Ham boss Alan Curbishleyhas revealed striker Craig Bellamywill not undergo an operation to cure his stomach strain and will instead start a strict training regime to get back to fitness . . . John Collinsyesterday quit as Hibernian manager after deciding the club were forcing him to rein in his ambitions. He said his decision could have been avoided if a larger share of the €12 million Hibernian got in player sales this year had been pumped into his transfer kitty.