Soccer Shorts: Gareth Bale's foot injury is expected to keep him out of action for the rest of the season, Tottenham sporting director Damien Comolli has confirmed.
Bale, the 18-year-old Wales left-back, suffered a strained ligament following a tackle from Birmingham's Fabrice Muamba at the start of December and has only just had his cast removed.
Comolli said: "Gareth's injury was reviewed and although the surgeon was happy with the results of the X-rays, he does not anticipate Gareth being able to play any further part in this season."
Craigan out of Bulgaria game
Northern Ireland will be without Motherwell defender Stephen Craigan for tomorrow's friendly with Bulgaria at Windsor Park.
The 31-year-old will not be travelling to Belfast due to Motherwell's rearranged Scottish Cup fifth-round tie with Dundee tonight.
His absence could give Jonny Evans, currently on loan at Sunderland from Manchester United, the chance to start for the first time in his favoured central defensive position.
Benjani close to City move
Benjani Mwaruwari's transfer limbo will be brought to an end today, when Manchester City are due to announce they have signed the Zimbabwe striker. It is understood Portsmouth will still receive the 10.1 million fee agreed last week, although some terms of the deal have been altered. With Portsmouth due to receive the money for Benjani, they should be able to match the € 10 million fee wanted by Spurs in order to make Jermaine Defoe's transfer permanent.
Mascherano to tie up deal soon
Javier Mascherano expects his permanent transfer to Liverpool to be completed this week. The Argentina midfielder is registered as a Liverpool player on a long-term loan from owners MSI, so the deal did not need to be completed before the transfer deadline last Thursday.
Scannell out of Czech friendly
Crystal Palace striker Sean Scannell has pulled out of this week's under-19 friendly double-header with the Czech Republic, the first game of which takes place at United Park, Drogheda, tonight.
Injury has also forced Manchester City defender Garry Breen out of the squad. Breen's club-mate Michael Daly has received a late call-up.
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND: Redmond (Nottingham Forest), McKeon (Peterborough), Hughton (Tottenham Hotspur), O'Donoghue (Sunderland), Sharkey (Derry City), Kelly (Reading), Bermingham (UCD), Earls (Aston Villa), M Daly (Manchester City), Carey (Celtic), Berrett (Huddersfield), McCarthy (Hamilton), Arter (Charlton), Cahillane (Celtic), McDermott (Manchester City), Hutton (Tottenham), McDaid (Derry City), I Daly (Manchester City), Harkin (Charlton).
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