A round-up of today's other soccer stories in brief...
Arteta may return for Uefa Cup push
MIKEL ARTETA could be back to aid Everton's attempt to cling on to a Uefa Cup qualification place.
The Spanish-born midfielder has been struggling with groin and stomach problems and has been back in his native country receiving intensive treatment.
Signs are he could be in contention for a return in the home clash with Aston Villa on Sunday - Villa will leapfrog Everton into fifth spot if they win.
The good news of Arteta comes as there seems to be a breakthrough in the treatment of fellow Everton midfielder Tim Cahill, who is back home in Australia awaiting a crucial operation on his persistent broken metatarsal problem.
The 28-year-old suffered a recurrence of the injury last month against West Ham and was ruled out for the season.
Cahill said: "I hope to be back for pre-season, ready for Everton's first game of the campaign."
Hleb may have conducted his last actions with Arsenal
ALEXANDER HLEB will be banned for Arsenal's last three games of the season after yesterday admitting a English FA charge of violent conduct, writes David Hytner. He slapped Reading's Graeme Murty at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday and Arsene Wenger must hope it was not the midfielder's last game for the club.
Arsenal's manager fears that Hleb is being courted by Inter Milan, who are prepared to offer him a substantial wage increase.
Wenger is aware that Hleb (26) has the option to buy out the final two years of his contract under Article 17 of Fifa's regulations and leave for a fixed fee, which would most likely be far less than the €14 million Arsenal paid in July 2005. He signed a five-year deal when he left Stuttgart and will have served the "protected period" of three years this summer. Guardian Service
O'Brien puts Ireland on their way
GOALS FROM Michelle O'Brien and Stefanie Curtis gave the Republic of Ireland a 2-0 victory over Hungary in Miskolc yesterday to take all three points in their Uefa Championship qualifier Group Two game.
O'Brien opened the scoring with an excellent lob over the Hungarian goalkeeper after just 18 seconds, while Curtis struck for her goal midway through the second half.
In a well practised free-kick move, Marie Curtin shaped up to blast the free-kick towards goal but the ball was tapped into space and the on-rushing Curtis blasted it to the net from 20 yards out.
Ireland goalkeeper Emma Byrne saved a penalty with seven minutes of normal time remaining to keep Hungary scoreless.
Noel King's Irish side are now joints leaders of their group with Italy.
