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

Wenger names unsettled duo in squad

ARSENE Wenger has named Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri in his Arsenal squad for the Champions League play-off with Udinese, despite speculation both players will leave. If either midfielder features it would cup-tie them in the competition and make them less attractive to Barcelona and Manchester City respectively, writes David Hytner.

Arsenal play Udinese in the first leg of the tie at Emirates Stadium on Tuesday. Under normal circumstances, Wenger would select Fabregas and Nasri to ensure that his team had the best chance – yet these are not normal circumstances.

Arsenal are open to selling the pair on their terms, but it is not a surprise that Wenger has named them in his squad. It would have been foolish of him to show any weakness to Barcelona or City in the current edgy climate. But the real brinkmanship is afoot ahead of the first-leg.

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Sneijder admits interest in Old Trafford switch

WESLEY Sneijder has revived the prospect of a move to Manchester United by confirming he is interested in joining the Premier League champions and that “unofficial talks” have taken place over a possible €40 million deal.

The Internazionale playmaker has been linked with Old Trafford all summer but the Italian club’s asking price for the 27-year-old, plus his weekly wage in Milan of almost €285,000, have proved problematic.

Now Sneijder has shown his appetite for the deal. When asked if he was keen on a move to United, Sneijder replied: “Yes, but Manchester United haven’t made an official approach yet. There have been unofficial talks, there have been contacts but then there are always contacts.”

“The situation is that I am now an Inter player and chances are that I will still be that come 31 August. There is also a chance I could leave ... I think Inter have been very clear: if a good offer comes in, they have to let me go.”

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Obertan moves to Newcastle

NEWCASTLE United have signed French winger Gabriel Obertan on a five-year deal from Premier League champions Manchester United, the north-east club said yesterday.

Obertan, 22, struggled to make an impact at Old Trafford after joining from French Ligue 1 side Girondins Bordeaux in 2009, making only 15 appearances last season. Obertan will go straight into Newcastle’s squad for Saturday’s opening league match at home to Arsenal.

* BLACKBURN Rovers

have signed Serbia midfielder Radosav Petrovic on a four-year contract for an undisclosed fee. The 22-year-old Petrovic moved to Ewood Park from Serbian champions Partizan Belgrade, where he won three successive league titles and scored 17 goals in 70 games. Having secured a work permit for Petrovic, Rovers now face a race against time to clear him for their opening fixture at home to Wolves on Saturday.

England friendly is postponed

ENGLAND’S friendly against the Netherlands was postponed after the Metropolitan police confirmed they would be unable to guarantee the safety of players and supporters at Wembley, writes Dominic Fifield.

The decision was taken following talks between the English FA, the Metropolitan Police, the British sports minister Hugh Robertson and Brent council yesterday following a third night of unrest in London. Some 70,000 tickets had been sold for the game.

“We have received clear advice that, due to sporadic and the widespread nature of the unrest, there are significant concerns in relation to emergency service resources to safely police this fixture and about the protection of players,” said FA chairman, David Bernstein. “With that in mind, the authorities advised us that, under the terms of our safety certificate, we would be unable to host the fixture or guarantee the safety of supporters or the teams. For these reasons, the game cannot go ahead.” Guardian Service