Soldiers ousted the democratically elected president of Honduras yesterday and Congress named a successor, but the leftist ally of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez denounced what he called an illegal coup and vowed to stay in power.

England captain David Beckham will be sidelined for up to a month with the rib injury he suffered in Saturday’s World Cup qualifying victory over Wales.

Real Madrid have revealed just how highly they rate Jonathan Woodgate as a long-term prospect by signing the defender despite accepting he will be out of action for at least another month.

Michael Owen is set to be unveiled as Real Madrid’s latest ‘galactico’ at a midday press conference.

AC MILAN coach Carlo Ancelotti insists his team will take the game to European champions Real Madrid when the two meet in their mouth-watering Group C opener at the San Siro tonight.