A round-up of today's other stories in brief...
Gallas sidelined
WILLIAM GALLAS has emerged as Arsene Wenger's latest injury concern after the Arsenal captain picked up a thigh injury and pulled out of France's squad to face Romania.
Gallas (31) is struggling with a small tear to his right thigh and was replaced by former Newcastle defender Jean-Alain Boumsong.
Arsenal forward Robin van Persie has a hamstring problem and is unavailable for the Netherlands' clash with Iceland in Rotterdam tomorrow.
Terry a major doubt for England's World Cup clash
JOHN TERRY looks certain to miss England's World Cup clash with Kazakhstan at Wembley tomorrow. Officially, Terry remains a doubt for the Group Six encounter.
However, the FA have released a statement confirming Terry's back complaint prevented him from training again yesterday and under such circumstances, it is difficult to see how coach Fabio Capello could consider him for selection.
Throughout his short time in charge, Capello has continually stressed the need for players to be fully fit in order to be considered. And the Italian is unlikely to bend those rules now, even though Terry has repeatedly defied medical opinion by putting his body on the line in the cause of duty for club and country.
If, as expected, Terry is eventually ruled out, Rio Ferdinand will take over as captain.
Matthew Upson and Wes Brown both have claims on the vacancy.
The remainder of Capello's 23-man squad were able to train yesterday.
Credit crunch not hitting United
MANCHESTER UNITED'S American owners the Glazers insist the club won't be affected by the global credit crunch.
The worldwide financial meltdown had its roots in the USA but the Florida-based Old Trafford owners remain confident the club will be untouched. A spokesman for the Glazer family said: "The credit crunch is not having a negative bearing on United. We continue to benefit from the sell out of Old Trafford and the growth in our commercial operation."
THE PRESIDENT of the Asian Football Confederation, one of the most vocal opponents of the Premier League's proposed "Game 39" international round of matches now would "welcome" Premier League games in Asia.
Mohamed bin Hammam said his initial rejection of the idea had been prompted by "shock". Since then he has met the league's chief executive Richard Scudamore and has been persuaded that if an international round does go ahead it would help develop soccer across the continent.
Platini a critic of foreign owners
UEFA PRESIDENT Michel Platini has criticised the influx of foreign owners into the Premier League, claiming clubs are losing their identity as a result.
"If you bring people from Qatar and there is no one from Liverpool or Manchester at the club, where is Liverpool or Manchester?" he said. "I think it is not good. I think the Qataris should invest in Qatar. They should develop the football in each country. We have to make some rules."
Newcastle stuck with Ashley for now
FINDING A buyer for Newcastle United could prove impossible in the current financial crisis, the man charged with selling the club admitted yesterday.
Keith Harris said that the club's owner, Mike Ashley, could remain in control for longer than anticipated, as a serious bidder has yet to emerge and the global meltdown of financial markets made it "easy for people to find an excuse" not to buy.
Harris was speaking as Newcastle came to terms with yesterday's departure of Tony Jimenez, their vice-president in charge of recruitment and a key ally of Ashley.
Meanwhile, former Tottenham manager Gerry Francis (56) has revealed he would be honoured to coach at Newcastle, but insists a deal to join interim manager Joe Kinnear's backroom staff is still a long way off.
"I have spoken to Joe Kinnear and I have been made an offer," Francis said. "In the next few days we'll meet and discuss that offer."
Alonso didn't have pace for Ranieri
JUVENTUS COACH Claudio Ranieri has revealed he pulled out of a move for Xabi Alonso this summer because he felt the Liverpool midfielder was "too slow".
Juve held talks with Liverpool over the Spain international but Alonso remained at Anfield.
"He was a player we wanted," Ranieri said of Alonso. "But he is a player, who . . . left me perplexed by the slowness of his movement in midfield."
SAMPDORIA HAVE ruled out reports of Antonio Cassano moving to Manchester City this winter.
Reports have linked the 26-year-old former Real Madrid and Roma striker with a switch to the Premier League club but Sampdoria administrator Beppe Marotta insisted he is not for sale.
"Regarding the interest of Manchester City for Cassano I must say that Antonio will not leave Genoa in January," Marotta said.
