Dietmar Hamann is expected to agree a move to Manchester City, paving the way for Joey Barton to move from Eastlands.

Germany 1 Argentina 1 (aet, Germany win 4-2 on penalties)

Uncapped Independiente goalkeeper Oscar Ustari has beaten River Plate’s German Lux to the third goalkeeping berth in Argentina’s World Cup squad but the omission of Internazionale defender Javier Zanetti and Bayern Munich midfielder Martin Demichelis is the biggest talking point.

LOADED with glamour teams, the Confederations Cup has few friends outside FIFA. The tournament, a warm up for next year’s World Cup in Germany, prevents weary players from taking a summer break.

Manchester United full-back Gabriel Heinze has been named in a 26-man Argentina squad for next month’s World Cup qualifiers against Ecuador and Brazil.

BOLIVIA and Venezuela will open a new round of the South American World Cup qualifiers tonight, while Argentina and Brazil will both be in action tomorrow looking to go a step closer to booking their place at Germany 2006.

Mauricio Pellegrino has expressed his delight at completing his move from Valencia to Liverpool.

SVEN-GORAN ERIKSSON’S campaign for a four-week break before the start of the 2006 World Cup achieved victory yesterday when FIFA announced plans to minimise player burn-out during the tournament.

Defending champions Colombia are through to the semi-finals of the Copa America after a 2-0 win over Costa Rica.

Former Birmingham City striker Luciano Figueroa scored twice as Argentina defeated Uruguay 4-2 to avoid a clash with arch rivals Brazil in the quarter-finals of the Copa America.

Liverpool have called a news conference for 3.30pm today at Anfield where they are expected to unveil Rafael Benitez as their new manager.

VALENCIA club president Jaime Orti was still fuming yesterday at the last-gasp penalty decision that gave Real Madrid a 1-1 draw in a pivotal Primera Liga clash on Sunday night.

Charlton 4 Chelsea 2

CHELSEA were last night sweating on the results of fresh scans on Damien Duff’s dislocated shoulder amid fears the club’s most expensive player could be sidelined until February.

Chelsea are tonight sweating on the results of fresh scans on Damien Duff’s dislocated shoulder amid fears the club’s most expensive player could be sidelined until February.

CHELSEA boss Claudio Ranieri insisted he will not embark on a major New Year spending spree as he moved to reassure his existing squad of his faith in them.

David Beckham insists he is still living a dream at Real Madrid even if the long-term fear is that his move from Manchester United will turn into a nightmare.

Surprise contenders Real Sociedad maintained a wafer-thin lead over Real Madrid by drawing 1-1 with outgoing champions Valencia at the Anoeta tonight.

Sir Alex Ferguson knows better than most that next season’s masterplan for domestic and European domination begins almost immediately and that sides who do not strengthen their squads go backwards very quickly.

CELTIC manager Martin O’Neill last night thanked UEFA for his touchline reprieve — but that won’t stop him fighting his ban all the way.

Liverpool 0 Valencia 1

Manchester United and Leeds could finally agree on a price for Rio Ferdinand today.

Sir Alex Ferguson has admitted he will soon be forced to look elsewhere if Leeds will not sell him Rio Ferdinand.

Pablo Aimar does not want to play in another game like Friday’s defeat to England.

Sven-Goran Eriksson brought Nicky Butt into the England side to face Argentina as he opted for a safety-first strategy amid an intensifying World Cup qualification struggle.

Juan Pablo Sorin has joined Roberto Ayala on the injury list as Argentina prepare for tomorrow’s Group F meeting with England in Sapporo.

Juan Sebastian Veron has raised the temperature ahead of Argentina’s World Cup clash with England in Sapporo on Friday by raising the spectre of the Falklands War.

Argentina captain Roberto Ayala’s thigh injury is not serious and there is renewed hope he will play in Friday’s World Cup clash with England.

Gabriel Batistuta's 10th World Cup goal helped World Cup favourites Argentina kick-off their campaign with a hard-earned win in the Group F opener in Ibaraka.

Gabriel Batistuta's 10th World Cup goal helped World Cup favourites Argentina kick-off their campaign with a hard-earned win in the Group F opener in Ibaraka.

Manchester United are closing in on a £20m (€32m) deal for Juventus ace Lilian Thuram, according to reports.

Argentina captain Roberto Ayala is still on Manchester United’s wanted list, according to the player’s agent.

Gabriel Batistuta has been left out of the Argentina squad for their World Cup warm-up game with Cameroon on March 27.

Spanish club Valencia have told Manchester United that Argentine defender Roberto Ayala is not for sale.

Diego Maradona returned to the field to play his farewell match in front of 50,000 devoted fans in Buenos Aires.

Brazil’s hopes of reaching next summer’s World Cup finals suffered a huge blow with a 2-1 defeat to arch-rivals Argentina in Buenos Aires.

Roberto Ayala has just scored for Valencia at their quarter-final match against Arsenal at Highbury.