Republic of Ireland international Colin Healy is set for another lengthy lay-off after breaking his leg again in training. The Sunderland midfielder has been out of action for nine months after fracturing the leg against Coventry at the end of December 2003.

An X-ray revealed that Healy, who only returned to training a week ago, suffered a double fracture in the same place as the initial injury. Sunderland manager Mick McCarthy said: "I'm absolutely as sick as I could be for Colin and of course we'll do whatever it takes to help him through this. "

Manchester City manager Kevin Keegan has claimed Robbie Fowler is "too important" to the club just to be cast aside permanently. Fowler has been left out of City's first-team squad after being substituted during the 1-0 home defeat to Everton earlier this month and has been placed in a get-fit regime after failing to impress since his move from Leeds in January last year.

Pele has suggested the Brazilian footballers should go on strike to protest against late payment of wages. "In other professions there are protests for wage increases and against delays in the payment of salaries. But some players don't get paid for three or four months and nothing happens."

Players at Flamengo, which claims to be Brazil's best-supported club, said they had not been paid for two months.