Today's other stories in brief
King set for return
Tottenham are hopeful Ledley King will make a long-awaited return during tomorrow's Uefa Cup quarter-final second leg against Sevilla at White Hart Lane.
The Spurs captain has been unavailable because of injuries to both feet since playing in the St Stephen's Day victory against Aston Villa and any return would be timely given Martin Jol is likely to be without his left-back Lee Young-pyo, who suffered a knee injury in the first leg, as well as the cup-tied Ricardo Rocha. Tottenham must overcome a 2-1 deficit if they are to reach a first European semi-final since winning the Uefa Cup in 1984.
Sevilla goalkeeper Andres Palop has been ruled out of tomorrow's match. The 33-year-old, whose injury-time goal in the previous round helped save the defending champions from elimination against Shakhtar Donetsk, has been sidelined with a calf injury. Also absent from Sevilla's 19-man squad is injured striker Ernesto Chevanton and midfielder Fernando Sales, who has been omitted by coach Juande Ramos. Brazilian striker Luis Fabiano returns from suspension.
Stoichkov moves on
Hristo Stoichkov was appointed coach of Primera Liga strugglers Celta Vigo after quitting his post in charge of the Bulgarian national team yesterday."The club has closed an agreement with the Bulgarian who was up until now the coach of his national side," Celta said on their web site (www.celtavigo.net). Celta added that the former Barcelona player was expected to arrive in Vigo yesterday and would give a news conference today. The Galicians sacked coach Fernando Vazquez on Monday after the side dropped into the relegation zone following a 4-2 defeat at Recreativo Huelva.
Earlier the Bulgarian football federation said Stoichkov had notified them he had decided to quit his post. "We have accepted the resignation of Bulgaria coach Hristo Stoichkov and team manager Dimitar Dimitrov," Bulgarian Football Union (BFU) president Borislav Mihailov said.
Vaughan hopeful
Everton believe James Vaughan will play again this season. The 18-year-old striker was taken to hospital on Monday after suffering a severed artery in his ankle after being caught by the studs of Abdoulaye Meite in the 1-1 draw with Bolton. Vaughan was discharged from hospital later in the evening, amid fears that his season was over. The youngster became Everton's youngest ever player and goalscorer two years ago but was then ruled out for 14 months with a knee injury. Everton physio Mick Rathbone said: "We are cautiously optimistic he will be back playing within the next three to four weeks."
Owen plays in friendly
Michael Owen's recovery from a knee injury that has kept him out for nearly a year continued yesterday when the striker played for around an hour of a friendly for Newcastle United against an invited side from Gretna. Owen scored in a 4-1 win for Newcastle, as did Shola Ameobi. Owen emerged from the game unscathed and, if he continues to progress at the anticipated level, he should play some part in Newcastle's Premiership home game against Chelsea on April 22nd. "He didn't look rusty at all," said Gretna's Erik Paartalu. "He looked very sharp."
Gravesen awaits verdict
Thomas Gravesen's agent John Sivebaek has said he and the player are unsure why the midfielder has played a peripheral role in Celtic's season and that the club must decide on the player's future at the end of the campaign. Gravesen has started only 15 league games since moving to Parkhead from Read Madrid last August. Speculation in the former Denmark international's homeland has linked Gravesen with a move to the Bundesliga. Meanwhile, Celtic's full-back Mark Wilson has undergone surgery on his knee.
Poll in the clear
Referee Graham Poll has been cleared of colluding with Charlton's manager Alan Pardew to prevent Alexandre Song from being sent off during Monday's goalless draw with Reading at The Valley. Pardew's after-match assertion that he asked the referee at half-time to indicate whether Song was close to a second yellow card was discounted yesterday. Professional Game Match Officials, the referees' organisation, confirmed half-time exchanges between managers and referees are against the rules but said Poll was not under investigation. Pardew's claim may have been couched in praise of Poll but it was inflammatory considering the obvious implications of Charlton gaining an unfair advantage in the relegation battle.
Clubs charged over brawl
Barnsley and Birmingham are to be charged with failing to control their players after the FA yesterday studied video evidence of the mass brawl at the end of Monday's game at Oakwell. Referee Mike Russell reported the incident, leaving both clubs at risk of fines.
