Soccer Digest

Today's other stories in brief

Beckham back in squad

David Beckham has been recalled to the England squad for next Friday's friendly with Austria and the final Euro 2008 qualifying match against Croatia five days later. But England captain John Terry failed to make the squad as he still has to recover from a knee injury after it locked up during a training session before England's 2-1 defeat in Moscow last month.

Chelsea manager Avram Grant insists he feels no guilt about telling Steve McClaren not to pick. The two managers spoke on the phone this week and Grant made it clear to McClaren that Terry is not ready for first-team football.

"As a former national coach I respect any player who tries to play for his country," the Chelsea manager said, "but John Terry is not fit. In two weeks he will be but we need to take care of him because he always risks his body for Chelsea and for the national team."

Ireland shorts to stay on

Sven-Goran Eriksson says Stephen Ireland will keep his shorts up as Manchester City face Portsmouth this weekend. Republic of Ireland midfielder Ireland celebrated scoring the winner against Sunderland on Monday by dropping his shorts to show off a pair of Superman underpants.

Eriksson is pleased the English Football Association took a lenient view of the matter but after the headlines generated by the escapade, he feels Ireland should concentrate solely on the goalscoring at Fratton Park.

When asked what Ireland's likely celebration would be next time, Eriksson said: "I think he will keep them on on Sunday!"

Ref wants legal support

Celtic manager Gordon Strachan won his appeal to the Scottish Football Association against a two-match touchline ban, imposed following his dismissal in April's league match against Hearts.

However, referee Stuart Dougal called for referees to have access to legal representation after the ban was quashed by the Scottish FA's appeals committee.

"Celtic had a lawyer with them and they know how to conduct matters. We are not allowed legal representation there and I was being cross-examined and as you know, one word out of context can make a difference."

In brief . ..

Birmingham manager Steve Bruce has written off his chances of bringing Arsenal striker Nicklas Bendtner back to the club for a second loan spell in the new year. Bruce believes it is highly unlikely Arsene Wenger would agree to releasing Bendtner when the transfer window opens in January . . . Samuel Eto'o has defended under-fire Barcelona team-mate Thierry Henry. "I don't think he is playing badly if he has scored five goals in 11 games. We can't expect him to score three goals in every game. I think it is lack of respect to question Henry." . . . Inter Milan's Adriano, who has hardly featured in the last two seasons, is ready to leave the Italian champions in the January transfer window.