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Today's other stories in brief

Ince in top tier

PAUL INCE was named as the Blackburn Rovers manager yesterday. He signed a three-year contract to become the Premier League's first British-born black manager.

Ronaldo hoping to defy doctors

AC MILAN'S Brazilian striker Ronaldo has said he is recovering well from a career-threatening knee injury and expects to be able to run again in two or three weeks.

"The knee is going very well. Now we are starting work to reinforce the muscle. I'll start running in two or three weeks," Ronaldo said at the French Grand Prix yesterday.

Ronaldo (31) added he hoped to upset doctors' predictions that he would be sidelined for at least nine months after having surgery on a ruptured left knee tendon in February: "I'm optimistic. I might be able to return early, although it's early to say with precision. I want to play."

Frings a doubt for Germans

GERMANY MIDFIELDER Torsten Frings remains doubtful for Wednesday's Euro 2008 semi-final against Turkey in Basel.

Frings missed the 3-2 win over Portugal in the quarter-finals after fracturing a rib in the previous game against Austria.

Turkey striker Nihat Kahveci will miss the rest of championships because of a thigh injury.

Schuster willing to splash cash

REAL MADRID coach Bernd Schuster has urged his club to "pay what is necessary" to take Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo to the Bernabeu. A transfer fee of €100 million has been talked about and Schuster insists the Spanish champions must be ready to dig deep.

"For a player of his kind of level, we must pay what is necessary," he said. "Because, for us what is most important is to win the Champions League and he can help us."

Scolari ready to wield axe at Chelsea

LUIZ FELIPE Scolari has revealed there will be mass changes when he arrives to fill his post at Chelsea.

"It will be a revolution especially in terms of mentality," said the former Portugal and Brazil manager. "First there will need to be an overhaul, as happens in any company when they change boss.

"Everyone has their personality, their way of working and their way of seeing players. I will begin by seeing players in training because you see different reactions there.

"My choices are purely tactical ones. I pick the players I think are the best. Whoever is not selected is not selected."