Valladolid lose Sánchez

Real Valladolid CF

Cartilage surgery
The 29-year-old hurt his right knee in training in March and after the injury failed to respond to treatment he yesterday underwent surgery in Barcelona where he had a piece of cartilage removed from the knee. Doctors estimate that the player will be out of action for at least three months. Valladolid are fourth from bottom of the Primera División with four matches remaining.

Quasten for Volendam
FC Volendam have signed Czech defender Paul Quasten from AFC Ajax. The Under-19 international has signed a two-year deal with the Eredivisie's bottom club following his failure to win a professional contract with Ajax. Quasten usually plays at left-back but he can also operate in midfield.

Maradona improvement
Diego Maradona has been discharged from hospital in Buenos Aires after treatment for serious heart problems. The 43-year-old former Argentinian international had been admitted 12 days ago after collapsing at a match of his old club CA Boca Juniors.