Robbie Fowler has been hit by yet another savage blow to a career that has been blighted by injury and controversy for more than 18 months.
The Liverpool and England striker will enter hospital today for an operation on his right ankle that could rule him out for up to eight weeks.
Real Madrid boss John Toshack has insisted there is no chance of embattled striker Nicolas Anelka heading for Italy in a swap deal with Juventus.
Real president Lorenzo Sanz was quoted in the Spanish media saying he had considered sending Anelka to Juventus in exchange for his compatriot Zinedine Zidane, but Toshack is standing firmly behind his £23 million man.
Bobby Robson yesterday made his first signing as Newcastle boss, drafting in Blackburn striker Kevin Gallacher on an 18-month contract for a fee believed to be in the region of £700,000.
St Patrick's Athletic and their team captain Eddie Gormley last night both formally denied that the player is on the transfer list, contrary to reports yesterday.
David O'Leary's Leeds United have drawn Locomotiv Moscow in the second round of the UEFA Cup and will travel to Russia on November 4th where the Irishman believes his talented young side will have their work cut out.
West Ham will play Steaua Bucharest, who won the European Cup 13 years ago, in the toughest tie for a British club. German side Kaiserslautern will visit Tottenham, while Newcastle take on Swiss side FC Zurich.
