A round-up of today's other stories in brief

Crowd trouble mars Malmo build-up to Rangers clash

MALMO captain Daniel Andersson says recent crowd trouble has damaged the reputation of Swedish football, but has not affected their focus ahead of tonight’s crucial Champions League qualifier against Rangers (kick-off 6pm, live on Setanta Ireland).

Their league match against Djurgardens was abandoned after just 11 minutes on Saturday after firecrackers were thrown on to the pitch – the second time a game at the Swedbank stadium has been halted this season.

The lack of match action and subsequent headlines in Sweden means Malmo have not had the best build-up as they prepare to host Rangers and build on their 1-0 advantage from the first leg at Ibrox.

“It hurts Swedish football a lot but it’s only a few people who are doing this,” said Andersson. “There are big discussions in Swedish football about this instead of talking about just the game. Hopefully, we will sort the problem out and talk about the football instead of the problems.

“I really hope there is no repeat because it has happened two times this year and that is two times too many. We were very upset on Saturday, but we have gathered the troops. It’s easy to keep the focus on a game like this, it’s no problem.”

Coincidentally, Rangers’ own fans are banned from travelling to the game as a result of Uefa sanctions imposed following the behaviour of supporters in matches against PSV Eindhoven last season.

Austria leave out striker Arnautovic

TROUBLED striker Marko Arnautovic has again been left out of the Austria squad for this month’s friendly against Slovakia, the first game of the new season.

“Arnautovic is no longer an issue from here on,” coach Didi Constanini told reporters after announcing the squad. “He has to stay quiet and show that he can fulfil his potential in the matches. I have decided in favour of collective sprit and I stick by that.”

Arnautovic was dropped for June’s Euro 2012 qualifier at home to Germany and Austria gave a much-improved performance without him despite losing 2-1.

That decision came less than two weeks after the striker was dropped by Werder Bremen for unspecified reasons amid reports he had been nightclubbing two days before a Bundesliga match. The 22-year-old managed only three goals in 25 league appearances last season.

West Brom look at Hargreaves

WEST Brom boss Roy Hodgson has confirmed the club’s interest in signing Owen Hargreaves if he proves his fitness.

Hodgson admits Albion’s technical and sporting director Dan Ashworth has been in contact with the former Manchester United player. But Hodgson will leave it to medical experts to decide whether Hargreaves will be fit enough to return at Premier League level.

Hargreaves posted fitness videos of himself on YouTube after being released by United at the end of last season.

Hodgson said: “I’ve not actually spoken to Owen but he’s been communicating with Dan Ashworth. Obviously, we’re monitoring, like several other clubs, a player of his quality and the situation with him.

“If the situation developed where it’s clear he is no longer injured and is capable of playing Premier League football I don’t think we’ll be the only club interested in his services.

“I don’t have an update on what the next move will be.”

St Pat's players in media ban

ST PATRICK’S Athletic players said last night that they would not be taking part in any of the club’s media activities ahead of tomorrow night’s Europa League third qualifying round second leg tie against Karpaty Lviv.

Members of the squad are believed to be upset over the lack of progress they have made in discussions over bonuses and payments for loss of earnings arising from their European run.

Pastore expected to sign for PSG

CHELSEA appear to have lost out in their pursuit of Javier Pastore after the Argentina midfielder indicated yesterday that he was close to finalising a deal to join Paris St Germain.

Pastore revealed that he will undergo a medical at the French club as he looks to complete the final details on a deal that could be worth up to €50 million according to his Italian club Palermo.

The news is set to come as a blow to Chelsea and new boss Andre Villas-Boas as he seeks to add to his squad ahead of his first season in charge. The Portuguese has been selective in his transfer dealings so far this summer, but has apparently identified the need for a creative midfielder after having two bids for Tottenham playmaker Luka Modric turned down.

Pastore’s confirmed move to PSG could therefore precipitate a third bid for Modric, after the club revealed they were weighing up whether to make another offer.

Jovanovic on his way to Anderlecht

ANDERLECHT have struck a deal to sign out-of-favour forward Milan Jovanovic from Liverpool.

The Belgian club have said that the deal will be completed once Jovanovic passes a medical tomorrow.

Jovanovic, now 30, joined Liverpool on a free transfer from Standard Liege last summer, having impressed former Reds boss Rafael Benitez, but he was unable to establish himself in the Premier League.

Sneijder to turn out for Inter in China

INTER Milan coach Gian Piero Gasperini expects Wesley Sneijder to play in this weekend’s Italian Super Cup in Beijing despite reports the midfielder is set to join Manchester United.

Sneijder has been linked with a €40 million move to Old Trafford, with some reports suggesting the deal could be sewn up as early as this week.

That looks unlikely after the Dutch midfielder touched down in China with his team-mates last night ahead of their derby clash against AC Milan. “He’s playing for us, training with us and he’ll play on Saturday,” said Gasperini. “There is no Sneijder problem.”

Speculation that Sneijder could move to England has persisted despite United boss Alex Ferguson also denying he has been in contact with the player.

Little chance Foster will return

BEN Foster has no plans to reverse his decision to take an indefinite break from international football and appears highly unlikely to contemplate returning to the England set-up unless Joe Hart, Fabio Capello’s first-choice goalkeeper, is ruled out.

Foster said if Hart picked up an injury he would “consider” playing for England again if Capello asked him, although he was careful not to guarantee he’d accept the invitation.