Goalkeeping headache for Portsmouth

Portsmouth FC goalkeeper Shaka Hislop faces two months out after undergoing a hernia operation.

'We are short'
Hislop missed the 2-0 defeat at Fulham FC on Monday and although manager Harry Redknapp has goalkeeping back-up in the form of Harald Wapenaar, Pavel Srnicek and Chris Tardiff, he could look for a replacement in January's transfer window. "We are short, there is no doubt about it, that's an obvious fact," Redknapp said.

Samuel signs
Elsewhere in England, Aston Villa FC defender Jlloyd Samuel has signed a new contract, which will keep him at Villa Park until 2007. The 22-year-old England Under-21 international defender has signed a three-and-a-half-year deal. There was some bad news for Villa, however, as another of their defenders, Mark Delaney, was ruled out for two weeks after suffering a slight cartliage tear during Sunday's defeat at Tottenham Hotspur FC.

New deal for Eberl
In Germany, VfL Borussia Mönchengladbach defender Max Eberl has signed a new contract until 2005. The 30-year old, whose previous contract was due to expire next June, joined the club from SpVgg Greuther Fürth in January 1999.

Kerr ruled out
Scottish international Brian Kerr faces eight weeks out after breaking his ankle. The Newcastle United FC midfield player has spent this season on loan with Scottish Premier League side Livingston FC and sustained the fracture during Saturday's 1-1 draw with Motherwell FC. It is unclear if the 22-year-old will return to Livingston on loan once the injury heals as the deal was due to expire in January.

Kjellsson departure
Magnus Kjellsson has left Allsvenskan side Landskrona BoIS to join Swedish third division outfit Jönköping Södra IF. The 24-year old had struggled to break into the Landskrona starting lineup.

Stark search
Meanwhile, Hammarby defender Jonas Stark has left the club after being pushed down the pecking order. "I want to play on a regular basis and I've therefore decided to find myself a new club," he said.