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Liverpool striker Fernando Torres' return to full fitness is ahead of schedule but the club's medical staff do not expect him to reach his physical peak for another month.

Robbie Keane believes the Republic of Ireland's World Cup heartbreak has made the team stronger and more determined to qualify for Euro 2012.

New France coach Laurent Blanc has given his squad the words of the national anthem - to make sure they can sing along to La Marseillaise as they line up to face Belarus in Paris on Friday.

Spain defender Alvaro Arbeloa believes he and his team-mates are comfortable with the pressure of playing as reigning world and European champions and is confident that Vicente del Bosque's side are capable of winning even more silverware.

Roma's new €10 million signing Marco Borriello rejected an approach from Manchester City and also had an option to join Real Madrid, according to the player's agent.

AC Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri has thanked club owner Silvio Berlusconi for bankrolling a spending spree just before the transfer window closed, after the Rossoneri snapped up Robinho and Zlatan ibrahimovic to bolster their attacking otions.

Former Liverpool boss Gerard Houllier has emerged as a leading candidate to replace Martin O'Neill as Aston Villa manager after being interviewed by the club's owner Randy Lerner.

Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher has pleaded with fans attending his testimonial not to direct abuse towards former team-mate Michael Owen, who will be playing in the charity match on Saturday.

Despite coming under fierce criticism for failing to set the World Cup alight, Wayne Rooney has received a commendation from FIFA for his performances in South Africa, and was named as one of England's three best players at the tournament.

West Ham co-owner David Sullivan has called for a review of the loan system which allows English clubs to borrow only two players from within the UK, but unlimited number from abroad - an imbalance he described as "madness".

Bulgaria coach Stanimir Stoilov believes England will always struggle to shine in major tournaments because of the gruelling nature of the English domestic season.

England rugby player Danny Cipriani is turning heads in the football world after taking part in training with Major League Soccer side Colorado Rapids.

Chelsea defender Yuri Zhirkov could be set to leave the club, with Spartak Moscow boss Valeri Karpin admitting he is keen to bring the Russia international back to his homeland.

Banfield took an important step towards the Copa Sudamericana round of 16 as they saw off fellow Argentinian side Velez Sarsfield 1-0 away from home.

David Beckham has targeted an earlier-than-expected return to action with the Los Angeles Galaxy on September 11 after recovering from the injury that ruled him out of the World Cup.

Barcelona technical director Andoni Zubizarreta has revealed Liverpool received €24 million for Javier Mascherano.

Wales boss John Toshack has claimed Tottenham rejected a "big-money bid" for Gareth Bale this summer and revealed there is still interest in the player.

Yossi Benayoun struck a hat-trick as Israel started their Euro 2012 qualifying campaign with a home victory over Malta.

Steven Gerrard has warned that sacking Fabio Capello would be a "crazy" and "knee-jerk" reaction amid mounting press pressure.

Sami Khedira admits he was left wondering what he let himself in for at Real Madrid after the team drew 0-0 at Real Mallorca in their first league game of the season.

Portugal boss Carlos Queiroz believes new Liverpool signing Raul Meireles will prove a success in the Premier League.

Robbie Keane insists he had no problem with the constant speculation about his future prior to the close of the transfer window on Tuesday.

Rafael van der Vaart maintains he was no "failure" at Real Madrid - but will not take a place in the Tottenham team for granted.

Michael Essien is confident Chelsea will end their long wait for the Champions League this season.

New France coach Laurent Blanc goes into his first competitive international, Friday's opening Euro 2012 qualifier against Belarus, looking for a successor to exiled World Cup captain Patrice Evra.

Jamie Carragher admits it will be "very difficult" for Liverpool to challenge for the Premier League title this season.

Former England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson has been interviewed for the vacant post at Aston Villa, as the club continue to search for a replacement for Martin O'Neill.

On the eve of Italy's Euro 2012 qualifying campaign, 2006 World Cup winner Gennaro Gattuso has joined his AC Milan colleague Andrea Pirlo in bemoaning a lack of quality in the Azzurri's ranks.

The Portuguese Anti-doping Authority (AdoP) has suspended Portugal coach Carlos Queiroz for six months after ruling that he disrupted an anti-doping test ahead of the World Cup.

Fabio Capello has promised that Wayne Rooney will play "in style" when England face Bulgaria in their opening Euro 2012 qualifier on Friday night.