Today's other stories in brief
Real making recruitments
Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon remains hopeful David Beckham will remain at the Bernabeu - despite admitting three new players are likely to arrive in January.
Defender Marcelo (18) was unveiled as a Real player yesterday and will definitely be moving to the Spanish capital in the new year. Calderon also revealed Madrid had reached agreements to bring River Plate striker Gonzalo Higuain (18) and Boca Juniors midfielder Fernando Gago (20) to the club.
With former England captain Beckham already struggling to get into the first team, the arrival of three new additions could further diminish his chances of reclaiming his place.
However, Calderon said: "We have offered a contract extension to Beckham. I have spoken to him personally. He is happy here, with his children's school, the climate . . . but he is not playing and he wants to wait a little."
Valencia lining up Reina
Reports in Spain claim Valencia are lining up a bid for Liverpool goalkeeper Jose Reina, who admits to being flattered by the link.
"The interest of Valencia is flattering to me," Reina said. "Though at this moment I want to be focused at helping Liverpool."
Newell given reprieve
Mike Newell has kept his job as Luton manager but has been "severely reprimanded" at a meeting with the club's board.
Newell's future was in doubt following comments he made at the weekend, when he said women officials should be banned from professional football and when he accused the club's chairman Bill Tomlins of "messing up" everything he had been involved in since taking the helm in 2004.
In brief . . .
Newcastle defender Celestine Babayaro has been ruled out for "two of three weeks" after suffering a groin injury in last week's League Cup win over Watford . . . Sebastian Deisler (26) is ready to make his comeback for Bayern Munich on Saturday, eight months after the midfielder suffered a knee injury that cost him a place in Germany's World Cup squad . . . England's FA are believed to have lined up a friendly with Germany at Wembley next year.
