LEADING Irish bookmakers chain Paddy Power is lining up further international expansion, with entry into the French market on the cards for the first half of next year.

Karim Benzema is poised to become the latest big-name arrival at Real Madrid after Lyon accepted a bid from the Spanish side for the highly-rated France international.

IF the construction of sporting stadia were the barometer of economic well-being instead of housing, you would be forgiven for thinking the world is in a golden age of uncharted prosperity.

Florent Malouda will join the Chelsea squad in America when the formalities of his move from Lyon are completed – but Michael Ballack will miss the start of the pre-season tour as he recovers from ankle surgery.

Real Madrid have confirmed they have agreed a deal to sign Mali midfielder Mahamadou Diarra from Lyon, subject to a medical.

CHELSEA could make a renewed attempt to join the powerful G14 group of Europe’s biggest clubs after being knocked out of the Champions League by Barcelona.

Champions League draw:

SWISS defender Patrick Müller believes his side can inflict a long overdue defeat on France when they meet in Ireland’s World Cup qualifying Group 4 in Paris on Saturday.

Fans snapping up kits in the run-up to the Euro 2004 football tournament helped sportswear firm Umbro to a 51% rise in profits today.

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND striker Robbie Keane is set to miss the first six weeks of the season after scans revealed severe ligament damage in his right ankle.

Sports kit supplier Umbro today said tough markets had led it to slash its flotation price by a third.

FOOTBALL brand Umbro yesterday unveiled plans to float on the London stock market in a move set to value the England kit supplier at around stg£200 million.

Football brand Umbro today unveiled plans to float on the London stock market in a move set to value the England kit supplier at around £200m (€299.3m).

The draw has been made for the first knockout stage of the UEFA Champions League. Manchester United play Porto, Chelsea go to Stuttgart, and Arsenal take on Celta Vigo.

THE tension within the Swiss camp between the German and French elements is expected to be reflected in their team selection against Ireland with Liverpool's centre-back Stephane Henchoz as the main victim.

Celtic chairman Brian Quinn believes the Parkhead club can face the Champions League group stage with renewed confidence after their exploits in Europe last season.

BLACKBURN were yesterday trying to persuade Millwall midfielder Steven Reid to move to Ewood Park after a late attempt by Portsmouth to hijack the move.

PATRICK Muller looks a little perplexed.

Celtic have been handed a tough group draw in the Champions League with Juventus, Porto and Rosenborg in Group E with them.