A round-up of other soccer news in brief

Ronaldinho not included in squad to face Ireland

AC MILAN playmaker Ronaldinho has not been included in the Brazil squad for next month’s friendly international against the Republic of Ireland at the Emirates Stadium in London

Coach Dunga yesterday named a 22-man squad for the Selecao’s final friendly before this summer’s World Cup finals, leaving 29-year-old Ronaldinho’s participation in South Africa in doubt.

There is no place either for Chelsea defender Alex, but Manchester City forward Robinho, currently on loan in his homeland with Santos, has been selected. Two former Arsenal players have been included in the group for the March 2nd encounter at their former stomping ground – Roma forward Julio Baptista and Panathinaikos midfielder Gilberto Silva. Barcelona full back Dani Alves has also been named in the squad despite being injured.

The 26-year-old was a late withdrawal from the team for Saturday’s Primera Division clash with Getafe after he felt a pain in his calf during the warm-up which was expected to sideline him for three weeks.

BRAZIL SQUAD(v Republic of Ireland, Emirates Stadium, March 2nd): Cesar (Inter Milan), Doni (Roma), Maicon (Inter Milan), Alves (Barcelona), Lucio (Inter Milan), Juan (Roma), Silva (AC Milan), Luisao (Benfica), Bastos (Lyon), Gilberto (Cruzeiro), Gilberto Silva (Panathinaikos), Felipe Melo (Juventus), Josue (Wolfsburg), Kleberson (Flamengo), Ramires (Benfica), Julio Baptista (Roma), Elano (Galatasaray), Kaka (Real Madrid), Robinho (Santos), Nilmar (Villarreal), Fabiano (Sevilla), Adriano (Flamengo).

Nigeria add Trapattoni to shortlist

GIOVANNI Trapattoni was formerly added yesterday to the Nigerian Football Federation’s “shortlist” of coaches that they are considering approaching to coach the national team at this summer’s World Cup finals, reports Emmet Malone.

Last week, the Federation drew up a list of six possible candidates which comprised of Guus Hiddink, Louis van Gaal, former England under-21 manager Peter Taylor, Egypt boss Hassan Shehata, much travelled Qatar coach Bruno Metsu and former Ghana coach Ratomir Dujkovic.

Van Gaal ruled himself out over the weekend, while Trapattoni, those close to him and John Delaney had appeared to reject any suggestion he might be available prior to the Federation’s Executive Committee taking its decision in Abuja yesterday.

Hiddink also said recently that he would definitely not be working at the World Cup but his agent seems far more open to offers. “Currently there is a new president at the Russian Federation and that might change the situation a bit,” said Cees van Nieuwenheizen.

“If, and I say if because we have not been officially contacted by the Nigeria federation, if we get such an offer we will have to discuss it with the Russian Federation.”

Gaynor the latest to leave Drogheda

DROGHEDA United lost another player yesterday in the wake of the decision by the FAI to reject its proposed budget for the coming League of Ireland season and the club’s subsequent attempt to cut its spending, reports Emmet Malone.

Ross Gaynor left for Dundalk some 24 hours after Conor Kenna had decided to rejoin former UCD manager Pete Mahon at St Patrick’s Athletic. United briefed fans at public meeting last night and it remains unclear whether manager Alan Mathews will stay for the new season.

Zola hints at Hammers exit

GIANFRANCO Zola has put his future at West Ham in doubt by telling the club’s new owners,David Sullivan and David Gold, he will not allow anyone to “walk over my principles” after warnings of pay cuts at the London club and the suggestion that Zola could be “too nice”to be a successful manager.

While Zola said he did not want to quit, he said he would not suffer excessive interference from Sullivan and Gold.

Calderon makes Ronaldo claims

FORMER Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon claims Cristiano Ronaldo rejected a move to Barcelona in order to join their bitter rivals.

Ronaldo finally completed his much talked about move to Madrid last summer for a world record fee of ¤91 million.

Madrid had long been pursuing the Portugal international and the relationship between the two clubs had rapidly disintegrated with United manager Alex Ferguson famously claiming he would not sell the Primera Division outfit “a virus”. Calderon, who resigned as president at the beginning of last year, admitted Madrid would have been pipped to the post for Ronaldo’s signature had the Fifa world player of the year not had such a strong desire to move to the Bernabeu.

The former Madrid chief also revealed that both the club and player accepted a clause which would have ensured a ¤30 million fine had either of them pulled out of the deal.

England may visit ‘new’ Windsor Park

ENGLAND have been lined up to be the first visitors to the new Windsor Park when Northern Ireland swing the doors open in 2012. A new 20,000 all-seater stadium is planned, providing government investment can be secured.

And the Football Association have already been approached about a friendly, which would be England’s first visit to Belfast since they were beaten by a solitary David Healy goal in 2005.

“Negotiations are at an advanced level with the Football Association to bring England to Windsor Park, perhaps in 2012,” IFA president Raymond Kennedy told the Belfast Telegraph.

“I am personally very hopeful that a deal can be agreed but it is not tied up yet. There could be no better team to help us unveil a new Windsor Park with a 20,000 seating capacity.

“England would be a game of massive interest to the fans and, while it is not in the bag yet, we are closing in on an agreement. “A business case has not been completed yet for Windsor Park but those talks are ongoing and we will hopefully meet the Football Association again in the middle of next month,” added an optimistic Kennedy.

Abidal facing two-month lay-off

BARCELONA defender Eric Abidal is facing up to two months on the sidelines after a freak injury in training, the Primera Division outfit have confirmed.

Abidal limped out of training with a left leg injury yesterday and tests have revealed that the France international has picked up an adductor problem which will rule him out of action for “six to eight weeks”.

It is a big blow to Pep Guardiola who already has a depleted defence and will be without Gerard Pique, Rafael Marquez, Dani Alves and Yaya Toure for this weekend’s visit to Atletico Madrid.