The following teams have been drawn together in the group stage of the Champions League:

Sunderland manager Roy Keane has claimed his clash with Alf-Inge Haaland which put him out of action for nine months actually saved his career.

Bayern Munich have admitted they were unable to afford the asking price for Ruud van Nistelrooy.

Newcastle may face competition from five other Barclays Premiership clubs as they attempt to prise midfielder Emre Belozoglu away from Inter Milan.

Rio Ferdinand has given a ringing endorsement of Michael Owen’s importance to England’s World Cup bid and is convinced the striker will eventually become his country’s record goalscorer.

Celtic today moved quickly to turn down a written transfer request from Stilian Petrov.

Disgusted Newcastle chairman Freddy Shepherd will today carpet Lee Bowyer and Kieron Dyer after the blackest day of his reign.

Blackburn skipper Andy Todd has recovered from the ‘flu which forced him off at half-time of his side's 1-0 home defeat to Arsenal a fortnight ago.

Darren Anderton is poised to make his first Premiership start for Birmingham in Sunday’s clash at Southampton.

Arsenal chairman Peter Hill-Wood has given Arsene Wenger licence to keep speaking his mind.

The Football Association are considering Jose Mourinho’s latest comments on the performance of referee Neale Barry in Wednesday’s Carling Cup semi-final.

Alex Ferguson breathed a massive sigh of relief at St James' Park last night as he looked forward to an FA Cup fourth round clash with Middlesbrough.

Wayne Rooney has been charged with violent conduct by the Football Association after he shoved Bolton’s Tal Ben Haim in the face at Old Trafford on St Stephen's Day.

Kieran Richardson will be denied the opportunity to impress Alex Ferguson at Old Trafford on May 7.

They will be walking in a Wigan wonderland on August 13.

Everton boss David Moyes sprung a surprise by including record signing James Beattie in the starting line-up for the first time since the striker’s red card against Chelsea on February 12.

Aston Villa full-back Mark Delaney has declared himself fit for tomorrow’s home Premiership encounter with Portsmouth.

West Ham have made an appeal for wrongful dismissal to the Football Association after striker Jermain Defoe was sent off against Walsall on Saturday.

Real Madrid midfielder Ivan Helguera has heaped praise on the attacking abilities of David Beckham, but claims the England captain is not a patch on Claude Makelele when it comes to defending.

Rio Ferdinand has decided not to go ahead with a second appeal against his eight-month ban for missing a drugs test.