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Defender David Luiz could be on the sidelines as defending Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain make the tricky trip to Rennes on Saturday.

The centre-back, who arrived in a big-money move from Premier League Chelsea in the transfer window, damaged knee cartilage while on international duty for Brazil against Colombia last Friday.

Having missed Brazil s meeting with Ecuador on Tuesday, he is now a doubt as PSG resume their domestic exertions at the Stade de Route de Lorient.

And, with a UEFA Champions League visit to Dutch champions Ajax coming just four days after PSG s visit to Brittany, it would be no surprise if coach Laurent Blanc decided to leave David Luiz out of the clash with last season s Coupe de France runners-up.

Should the Brazilian miss th…

Napoli on Thursday confirmed the appointment of Maurizio Sarri as coach of the Serie A club. 

The Naples-born 56-year-old has been charged with the task of replacing Rafael Benitez, who ended his two-year tenure at Stadio San Paolo last month before taking over at Real Madrid.

Sarri resigned as Empoli coach last week despite having two years left on his contract and was also linked with Milan, Sampdoria and Cagliari.

He masterminded Empoli s return to Serie A in 2013-14, and has impressed as the club retained its place, finishing 15th in the table at the end of the most recent campaign – eight points clear of danger.

Napoli tweeted: Napoli announces that the post of coach of the first team for the next season 2015/2016 will be entrusted to Mauriz…

Blackpool winger Tom Ince has rejected a move to Cardiff City, the Welsh club have revealed.

The 21-year-old has just one year remaining on his contract with the Championship side and was the subject of a successful bid from Cardiff last month.

However, the England Under-21 international has opted to turn down a switch, citing his desire to remain close to his newborn child.

Cardiff City Football Club can confirm that Blackpool midfielder Thomas Ince will not be joining the Bluebirds, a statement on the newly promoted Premier League outfit s website read.

Having agreed a fee with Blackpool FC towards the end of June and with the player and agent happy with personal terms offered, Blackpool manager and Thomas father Paul confirmed on Friday that due to the recent …

Vincent Kompany believes the recent recruitment drive at Eastlands will close the gap between the two Manchester clubs.

City last season relinquished control of the Premier League title won in such dramatic style on the final day of 2011-12, with champions United finishing 11 points clear of their neighbours.

However, after bringing in an exciting crop of new signings Stevan Jovetic, Alvaro Negredo, Jesus Navas and Fernandinho as well as hiring a new manager in Manuel Pellegrini, City captain Kompany insists the club is in a stronger position to challenge for silverware.

We have played a big part in the transfer market so far, Kompany said.

There was a bit of a gap between us and the champions last season and we are doing everything to bridge that. It will be a g…

In the search for a strong targetman AFC Ajax contacted the agents of Middlesbrough-striker Afonso Alves. However, the Dutch side decided to cancel the negotiations because the Brazilian is too expensive. Boro`s record signing (Gpp 17,500,000), that wasn`t very successful after his arrival in January 2008, is one of the players Boro would like to sell because of his huge salary (appr. Gpp 45,000 per month). Fellow striker Tuncay Sanli is another player the Riverside-club would like to sell because of his extreme wages, especially for a Championship-club. By selling Stewart Downing to Aston Villa, Middlesbrough already proved successful at cutting the expenses.

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QPR defender Ryan Nelsen has agreed a deal to take on the vacant managerial role at Major League Soccer outfit Toronto FC.

Nelsen has been targeted to replace former England international Paul Mariner and become the club s eighth manager in their six-year history.

The 35-year-old is contracted to QPR until the end of the season but, with the new MLS campaign set to begin in March, appears unlikely to see out his deal.

According to the west London club s official website, the New Zealand-born defender is now in talks with boss Harry Redknapp over his departure though he is expected to feature against Tottenham at the weekend.

Speaking at a press conference in Canada, Nelsen said: I am under contract at QPR. Harry Redknapp and Tony Fernandes, the owner of …

Cameron Jerome has been fined £50,000 for breaking FA rules relating to betting.

Following an Independent Regulatory Commission hearing, the Stoke City striker has been issued with the penalty subject to appeal.

A statement published on the FA s website on Wednesday read: Jerome, who was also severely warned as to his future conduct, admitted a number of breaches of the FA s Betting Rules and requested a personal hearing which took place on Tuesday 13 August 2013.

The 27-year-old who moved to the Britannia Stadium from Birmingham City in August 2011 was initially charged by the governing body on August 5.

His club also released a statement following the FA s decision, in which they noted that they wish to make clear that Jerome has not incurred a ban or suspe…

Peru captain Paolo Guerrero said he is grateful to his team-mates after scoring twice in his long-awaited return ahead of the World Cup.

Guerrero was set to miss the World Cup due to a 14-month drugs suspension but a Swiss court suspended his ban from football to consider his appeal on Thursday, clearing the 34-year-old striker to play in the Russia showpiece.

And Peru s all-time leading scorer made an immediate impact in his comeback on Sunday after his brace inspired a 3-0 win over fellow World Cup participants Saudi Arabia.

The group received me incredibly, I am very grateful, they have welcomed me and we are very close, nobody can take away that approach , said Guerrero, who took his international tally to 34 goals.

It does not matter who makes the …

Mats Hummels has criticised the attitudes of young German players and told Leroy Sane he cannot expect to be held in similar regard to the likes of Thomas Muller and Mesut Ozil just yet after he was surprisingly left out of the World Cup squad.

Sane enjoyed arguably the best campaign of his fledgling career in 2017-18, scoring 10 goals and setting up another 15 as he helped Manchester City win the Premier League title.

His form was recognised in the end-of-season awards, as he was named the Professional Footballers Association s Young Player of the Year, while he was also nominated for the Players Player of the Year individual gong.

But his form in a Germany shirt did not convince Joachim Low to name him among the final selection of 23 players for Russia.