Hoffmann happy with 1860

'A key player'
Hoffmann, 29, whose previous contract was due to expire next summer, joined 1860 in January 2001 from Bayer 04 Leverkusen. The club's sports director, Dirk Dufner, said: "Torben Hoffmann has become a key player in recent months. With his 117 Bundesliga appearances, he is one of the established players in our side and is very important for the young players."

Jiménez faces lay-off
Real Valladolid CF midfield player Javi Jiménez faces several months out after breaking his left arm in training today. The 27-year-old was rushed immediately to Valladolid's Sagrado Corazón hospital for x-rays on his injured forearm and club medical chief Manuel Álvarez said he would be sidelined for at least four months.

Draper to retire
Southampton FC midfield player Mark Draper has been forced to retire because of injury. Draper, 33, has made just 28 starts for Saints since signing from Aston Villa FC for €2.1m in July 2000. "It is the ankle which has forced my retirement but I have had persistent problems with the knees too," Draper told the Southampton website. "It is just wear and tear but there is no way I could carry on playing."

Lièvre sidelined
Toulouse FC defender Stéphane Lièvre will miss the next six weeks because of a torn thigh muscle. The 31-year old, who has missed just one game so far this season, sustained the injury - a five-centimetre tear - in last Saturday's 1-1 draw with OGC Nice.

Nish signs on
Colin Nish has extended his contract with Scottish Premier League side Kilmarnock FC until 2005. A club spokesman said: "Everybody at the club is absolutely delighted that Colin has signed this new contract."