Wilshere pushing for first team game after absence

SOCCER SHORTS: English Premier LeagueJack Wilshere is pushing for a game with the Arsenal first team for the first time in 17 months. The midfielder had been pencilled in to play in the Capital One Cup tie at Reading on Tuesday, but his club's recent struggles make him a compelling option for today's match against Queens Park Rangers.

The temptation for Arsene Wenger to select Wilshere is difficult to resist, even though he is mindful that the player is still "physically at 80 to 85 per cent". Wenger assesses it will take "two months' competition" for the midfielder to reach 100 per cent.

Though his team look in need of a boost – and Wilshere's return after such a long absence would bring that – Wenger's priority is managing the 20-year-old's reintegration into competitive football to minimise any setbacks.

Wilshere last appeared for Arsenal competitively in May 2011, in a 2-2 draw at Fulham. A cap for England two weeks later took his total matches for club and country to 54 for the season. The following month, his troubles flared up during a pre-season friendly against the New York Red Bulls.

Napoli facing match-fixing investigation

Serie ANapoli face the prospect of heavy sanctions after the Italian football federation (FIGC) confirmed it is investigating allegations of match-fixing at the Serie A club.

Former goalkeeper Matteo Gianello has been accused of attempting to fix the outcome of Napoli’s Serie A match at Sampdoria in 2010, with defenders Gianluca Grava and Paolo Cannavaro standing accused of failing to report having been approached.

Juventus head coach Antonio Conte was handed a 10-month suspension in August, subsequently reduced to four months, for his failure to report match-fixing while in charge of Siena, while Siena subsequently accepted a six-point deduction for their role in the ‘Calcioscommesse’ scandal.

Schuster says Celtic should not be in Champions League

Champions LeagueFormer Barcelona midfielder Bernd Schuster has criticised European champions Chelsea, Scottish champions Celtic and says the Champions League needs revamping in the wake of the latter's 2-1 defeat at Barcelona on Tuesday.

The former Barcelona and West Germany player was angered by Celtic’s defensive performance, which he said mimicked Chelsea’s negative displays in winning the trophy last season.

Schuster, who also played for and later managed nine-times European champions Real Madrid, said the current format of the tournament was wrong and should be changed to prevent the kind of match he watched on Tuesday.

Celtic took an 18th minute lead at Barcelona, then defended for much of the match before losing when Jordi Alba scored a stoppage-time winner for the Catalan side.

Although Celtic were widely praised for their gutsy rearguard action, Schuster told Spanish radio station ABC Radio Punto: “I’m fed up of seeing these type of matches.

“There should not be teams like Celtic in the Champions League. We saw it last year with Chelsea. It was a very bad example for football and it is regrettable that they became European champions.

You see Celtic defending with 10 men and almost snatching a point – that is not fair. There should not be teams like Celtic in the Champions League.

“I believe the coach of Celtic viewed many times the video of Chelsea last season against Barcelona. He decided to repeat the system, but it is not football.”

Lennon values Wanyama highly

Scottish Premier LeagueNeil Lennon has put a €31 million valuation on Victor Wanyama after criticising the Kenyan's representative for revealing that the player has turned down the offer of a new contract from Celtic.

The 21-year-old midfielder signed a four-year deal when he moved from Belgian side Beerschot for a reported €1.1 million in 2011, but the Parkhead club, in line with their recent policy of rewarding performances, have offered him new terms.

However, following Wanyama’s impressive display for the Hoops in their Champions League clash with Barcelona at the Camp Nou on Tuesday night, the player’s agent, Rob Moore, told STV: “Victor has informed Celtic the contract offer fell short of his expectations.”

The Celtic boss defended his valuation of the player before hitting out at Moore.

“I don’t know (if the value is realistic) but it is what I value him at,” said Lennon. “I think he is a wonderful talent and he can only get better. If bids come in we are under no pressure to sell, which is where we want to be with him at the minute.”

Bahrain bank poised to take over Leeds

English ChampionshipBahrain-based investment bank GFH Capital is poised to complete its takeover of Leeds, the two parties have said.

GFH Capital has provided Leeds owner Ken Bates with the necessary proof of funds to complete the transaction, which has been in the pipeline since May.

Bates said: “It’s been a long road, but we are in a good place. Both sides have been in talks over the last few days to finalise this deal. We are keeping focused and hope to complete very soon.”

GFH Capital announced last month that it had signed an exclusive agreement to lead a takeover of Leeds after it had notified the Bahrain stock exchange.

GFH Capital director and chief investment officer Salem Patel clarified that the operation of the club would not be hindered by Sharia law saying: “We understand there is some concern related to how Leeds United would be run under our stewardship.

“It remains important to be clear that Sharia law will not hinder this transaction, nor will it affect the future operations of the club.”