NEWS: MILAN'S PLAYMAKER Kaka is facing a struggle to be fit for the visit of Arsenal next week after the recurrence of a knee problem in Sunday's 2-1 win over Palermo.

The Brazilian came off at half-time as a precaution and was expected to miss tomorrow's match at Catania and Saturday's clash with Lazio to be ready for the Champions League last-16 second leg at San Siro next Tuesday.

However, he is more injured than first thought and may be a doubt for the crucial match, with the scores level at 0-0.

"It hurts a lot," the world player of the year said yesterday.

"I hope to be fit for the Champions League match with Arsenal. I definitely won't be there against Catania."

Middlesbrough have appealed to the English Football Association against the red card shown to Jeremie Aliadiere against Liverpool at the weekend.

The French forward was sent off at Anfield for slapping the Argentinian midfielder Javier Mascherano just as Middlesbrough had got back into the game at 3-2.

Middlesbrough's appeal may not be helped by comments made by their manager, Gareth Southgate, after Saturday's match.

He said: "That is a lesson for Jeremie. He is young and will learn from that. He hardly floored the opponent but you have to accept in the modern game that if you do something like that, and it is in front of a young referee, you will be sent off."

A regulatory commission will consider the appeal today.

The Liverpool goalkeeper Scott Carson - currently on loan at Aston Villa - wants to sort out his long-term future for the sake of his family.

Carson has three years left of his contract with the Anfield club and is keen to commit himself to one club, having previously had loan spells with Sheffield Wednesday and Charlton Athletic.

The 22-year-old is enjoying his season-long loan spell at Villa and has helped them maintain their push for a European spot, helped by Sunday's 2-1 win at Reading.

But he has no definite idea as to whether the manager, Martin O'Neill, is keen to make the move long-term in the summer - or before then if all parties could reach an agreement.

Carson said: "I'd like to know what is happening because I've got my girlfriend and my son to think about. My son turned two last week and he's started going to nursery school so we need to get settled.

"I've still got a contract with Liverpool and, until someone does a deal with them, I can't do anything.

"It's not a done deal (with Liverpool). Villa paid a loan fee for me until the end of the season and any time from now until then they could make it permanent."

He added: "I can't really say where I'd like to be because I'm still under contract at Liverpool and I don't know what is going to happen there.

"I like it at Villa and I want to get settled for next season.

"I've got three years left at Liverpool and I don't know what Aston Villa are thinking. We will have to wait and see."

• Guardian Service