A round-up of today's other stories in brief
Berbatov may return for Bulgaria
MANCHESTER United striker Dimitar Berbatov edged a step closer to ending his self-imposed international exile yesterday, saying he would be open to an approach from the Bulgaria national teams new coach.
The 31-year-old, who is the Balkan countrys all-time leading scorer with 48 goals, quit Bulgaria in 2010 and has repeated several times since then that he had no intention of changing his mind.
“You should receive an invitation to return somewhere,” said Berbatov. “My phone is switched on and I can be more concrete if I receive an invitation.”
Lubo Penev, who replaced German Lothar Matthaeus in November as Bulgaria coach, was planning to meet Berbatov this week.
“Ill talk to him this week and I’m optimistic. I think this is the right time for such a meeting, said Penev.
Busquets a major doubt for Barca
SERGIO Busquets is a major doubt for Barcelona’s Copa Del Rey semi-final second leg clash tonight with Valencia (1-1 first leg, live on Sky Sports 2, kick-off 8pm) after he suffered a gash to his knee in Saturday’s win over Real Sociedad.
The defensive midfielder’s injury stretches an already long sick list at Camp Nou, with Andres Iniesta, Pedro and David Villa all sidelined.
Coach Pep Guardiola could retain Cristian Tello in attack after the youngster impressed against Real Sociedad, while Xavi Hernandez, Gerard Pique and Alexis Sanchez are all likely to be restored to the starting line-up after being rested.
Valencia coach Unai Emery looks set to recall Ever Banega and Jonas to the starting XI after the midfield duo were rested for Sunday’s goalless draw at Atletico Madrid.
In the other semi-final, Athletic Bilbao defeated Mirandés, 4-1, last night to win 6-2 on aggregate.
O'Neill heaps more praise on McClean
SUNDERLAND manager Martin O’Neill has urged Republic of Ireland counterpart Giovanni Trapattoni not to forget James McClean as he draws up his plans for Euro 2012.
McClean (22) continued his spectacular emergence with a match-winning strike at Stoke on Saturday as speculation mounted he could be included in Trapattoni’s squad for the friendly against the Czech Republic later this month.
O’Neill is convinced the youngster has what it will take to make the step into senior international football.
He said: “I can understand Trapattoni being very loyal to a group of players that he’s worked with for the last two years and who have seen him through. But I think they would have to have a serious look at James and the form he is showing.
“My own view is he would be a genuine asset to them, but I am not telling Trapattoni how to conduct his affairs.”
Brown aware of Hearts' qualities
CELTIC captain Scott Brown has predicted a battle against Hearts tomorrow night (live on Sky Sports 1, kick-off 7.45pm) as Neill Lennon’s side aim to stretch their lead at the top of the Scottish Premier League to four points.
The Hoops’ last defeat in the SPL was at Tynecastle when they slumped to a 2-0 loss on October 2nd during what was a difficult period for the side and Brown is well aware of the threat posed by the fourth-placed Jambos ahead of the clash in Edinburgh.
He said: “We know how good Hearts are. We see them week in, week out. We will see a lot of DVDs before the game.
“It’s always hard. It’s going to be a battle. We are going to try to play football and so are they so we are looking forward to it.”
On the prospect of moving four points ahead of Rangers Brown added: “We will take it as it comes. We’ve still got to play the game before we think that far ahead.”
Jurors in Redknapp case told to keep eye on the ball
JURORS at the Harry Redknapp tax evasion trial retired yesterday to consider their verdicts.
The eight men and four women were warned to ignore footballing matters during their deliberations.
Judge Anthony Leonard told the jury to forget about the “emotive subject” as it decides the fate of Tottenham manager Redknapp and co-defendant Milan Mandaric, his former boss at Portsmouth.
The judge said at Southwark Crown Court: “Football is an emotive subject, stirring in an individual anything from deep passion to resentment. It has become so commercial that it may be thought by some to have lost its way.”
But the judge added in his summing-up: “This case is not about football but about allegations of tax fraud.”
The jury were sent home for the day after deliberating for three-and-three-quarter hours.
The judge told jurors he will only take a unanimous verdict. The prosecution says deposits totalling £189,000 in a Monaco account were bonuses related to Portsmouth Football Club.
At least one of the payments was related to the £3 million profit the club made on the sale of England striker Peter Crouch to Aston Villa, Southwark Crown Court heard.
Jurors were warned by the prosecution to “keep their eyes on the ball” when they consider their verdicts.
Both Redknapp and Mandaric deny two counts of cheating the public revenue.
