A round-up of today's other stories in brief
Duff out
Damien Duff looks certain to miss Chelsea's FA Cup replay against Everton tomorrow night at Stamford Bridge but the Republic of Ireland winger is expected to be fit in time for the opening leg of the club's Champions League tie against Barcelona on the February 22nd and Ireland's game against Sweden a week later, writes Emmet Malone.
"It's muscular but nothing big," said Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho, who estimated the winger would be out of action for, "maybe one week, 10 days, two weeks maximum." Staunton plays
Republic of Ireland manager Stephen Staunton is one many former stars due to line out at Macclesfield Town this evening in a charity game aimed at raising money to pay off a £300,000 fine imposed on the club late last year for financial irregularities.
The Louthman will be joined by the likes of Gianfranco Zola, Gustavo Poyet and Lee Sharp in a celebrity team to be player/managed by Bryan Robson.
The host club hope to field the team that won promotion to the league in 1997.
Campbell back
Arsenal defender Sol Campbell returned to training yesterday having said he was feeling better after a trip to the continent.
Campbell had not been seen by the club since walking out of Highbury after being substituted at half-time in Arsenal's 3-2 defeat by West Ham United last Wednesday but reported for duty at the London Colney complex, north of London.
French officials
The FAI has announced French match officials have been appointed to oversee Steve Staunton's first game in charge of the Republic of Ireland, the friendly game against Sweden on March 1st at Lansdowne Road. Damien Ledento will referee the game assisted by Eric Castellani and Didier Grenier while Cork's Alan Kelly will be the fourth official on the night.
Hartson quits
Celtic striker John Hartson wants to finish his career at Parkhead after quitting the international arena. The Wales forward has retired from competitive action with John Toshack's team at the age of 30.
But the former Arsenal and West Ham forward's agent, Jonathan Barnett, insists Hartson - the subject of Portsmouth inquiries last month - now wants to stay with the Hoops. Barnett said: "He's certainly got a few years left and he wants to give them all to Celtic. John has always said he's 100 per cent committed to Celtic and he loves it there."
Hartson scored on his debut in a friendly against Scotland in 1995 and steps down as Toshack begins preparations for qualifying for Euro 2008.
In Brief . . .
Birmingham striker Emile Heskey has been charged with improper conduct by the Football Association following his sending-off in Saturday's Premiership clash against Arsenal. The former Liverpool player was given his marching orders for two bookable offences but refused to leave the pitch promptly and twice made gestures towards referee Mike Riley.
TONIGHT'S FIXTURES
(7.45 unless stated)
AFRICAN NATIONS CUP: Semi-Finals: Egypt v Senegal (5.00) Nigeria v Ivory Coast (at Alexandria Stadium) (1.00).
ENGLISH FA CUP: Fourth Round: Replay: Birmingham v Reading; Crystal Palace v Preston (8.00).
ENGLISH LEAGUE: Division One: Colchester v Scunthorpe.
ENGLISH LEAGUE: Division Two: Bury v Rushden and D'monds.
SCOTTISH CUP: Fourth Round: Replay: Alloa v Hamilton (7.30).
SCOTTISH LEAGUE: Premier Division: Dundee Utd v Hearts.
LAST NIGHT: English League Championship: Sheffield United 1, Watford 4.
Soccer Shorts
