Today's other stories in brief
Giggs may recover from injury in time to face Milan
ALEX FERGUSON has raised the possibility of Ryan Giggs being available for the Champions League tie with AC Milan next month.
Giggs fractured his arm during the recent Premier League encounter with Aston Villa.
At the time it was thought the Welshman would be out of action for at least four weeks.
But, while Giggs did miss the first leg against Milan at the San Siro and will also be absent for Sunday’s League Cup final, Ferguson has delivered an upbeat summary of the wide-man’s recovery so far.
If all goes to plan, the 36-year-old could be back to face Milan when United look to reach the last eight next month.
“Ryan still has the injury to the arm,” said Ferguson. “But we are taking the plate out at the end of the week and he will be in full training after that.”
Following Sunday’s Wembley showpiece against Villa, United are next in action at Wolves on March 6th. The Milan game follows four days later.
Petrov set to return for final
ASTON VILLA captain Stiliyan Petrov is winning his battle to be fit for Sunday’s League Cup final against Manchester United at Wembley.
The Bulgaria international missed Wednesday night’s FA Cup fifth-round replay success over Crystal Palace at Villa Park but has resumed training and is set to lead Villa’s attempt to lift their first major trophy for 14 years.The 30-year-old has been an inspirational figure in Villa’s push for domestic success this season
Petrov, said: “The virus is okay. “I’ve been on antibiotics for the last three or four days.
“I’ve done a bit of training this morning. I had a lot of pain in my body and my chest was really tight and on Monday I was really bad so I started the antibiotics straight away. I’ve had my chest checked today and it was clear so I can go to train. We have worked so hard as a team to get to that final and nobody would want to miss it.”
Makelele to end career this year
FORMER France midfielder Claude Makelele will end his career when his contract with Paris St Germain expires at the end of the current season, the PSG captain said yesterday.
“This is actually my last season. My future is behind me,” Makelele said.
Makelele joined PSG in 2008 after spells at Real Madrid and Chelsea. He earned 71 caps for France and played in the 2006 World Cup final which France lost to Italy.
Tevez 'will be back to face Chelsea'
CARLOS Tevez’s adviser Kia Joorabchian has reiterated the Manchester City striker will fly back to England in time for tomorrow’s Premier League game with Chelsea.
Argentina international Tevez was given compassionate leave as his baby daughter Katie was in intensive care after being born prematurely and it had been unclear when Tevez would return.
EVERTON striker Louis Saha has been recalled to the France squad for next weeks friendly against Spain after three years.
FRANCE (Squad): Carrasso (Bordeaux), Lloris (Lyon), Mandanda (Marseille), Cissokho (Lyon), Evra (Manchester United), Escude (Sevilla), Fanni (Rennes), Sagna (Arsenal), Boumsong (Lyon), Ciani (Bordeaux), Rami (Lille), Diarra (Real Madrid), Gourcuff (Bordeaux), Sissoko (Toulouse), Toulalan (Lyon), Cheyrou (Marseille), Anelka (Chelsea), Govou (Lyon), Henry (Barcelona), Malouda (Chelsea), Remy (Nice), Arfa (Marseille), Ribery (Bayern Munich), Saha (Everton).
Eriksson and Hoddle on Nigeria list
FORMER England managers Sven-Goran Eriksson and Glenn Hoddle are on a five-man short list to be the new coach of Nigeria, a spokesman for the national federation has confirmed.
Hoddle managed England at the 1998 World Cup, where they reached the last 16 before being knocked out on penalties by Argentina, who are Nigeria’s first opponents at the 2010 World Cup. Eriksson led England at the 2002 and 2006 finals.
PORTSMOUTH have confirmed the club expect to go into administration today. Manager Avram Grant had earlier said he had been “more or less” told the club would go down that route.
And a statement on the club’s official website confirmed as much, with the nine-point deduction meaning almost certain relegation from the Premier League. Grant yesterday said that he was “very sad” at the situation.
