Kluivert comeback curtailed by injury

Valencia CF

Meanwhile, Valencia team-mate Curro Torres is ready to return to action eight months after suffering a serious knee injury. The defender will be in the side for Wednesday's friendly against Al Hilal in Saudi Arabia. He said: "I am thrilled to get to play a match again. I feel good although I need to play to get back in form."

Real Madrid CF are considering signing former Manchester United FC captain Roy Keane. "He is on the list of possible signings being discussed at the moment," said a club official. "But nothing has been decided and he has not passed a medical." Meanwhile, midfielder Óscar Miñambres could be out for some time after damaging left knee ligaments in training.

Staying in Spain, CA Osasuna equalled their best-ever run of home victories - eight, set in 1983/84 - by defeating RCD Mallorca 1-0 on Sunday. The win kept Osasuna level with FC Barcelona at the top of the Primera División. If Barça beat Cádiz CF next weekend it will be their 12th straight victory - the best sequence in their history.

Osasuna have also handed a contract extension to goalkeeper Juantxo Elía. The 26-year-old, whose deal was originally due to expire in June 2007, has signed up for another 12 months with the Pamplona-based outfit. The homegrown Elía has made four first-team appearances this term.

Swedish international goalkeeper Andreas Isaksson will miss Stade Rennais FC's last two matches of 2005 with the recurrence of a thigh injury. The 24-year-old returned to action in Saturday's French league defeat at Paris Saint-Germain FC following a two-month lay-off, only to aggravate the problem in training today. He therefore sits out Wednesday's UEFA Cup Group G game at FC PAOK in Greece, followed by Saturday's Ligue 1 visit of AS Saint-Etienne.

Hannover 96 will be without Silvio Schröter for two months after he broke a bone in his right foot during yesterday's 1-1 draw against VfL Borussia Mönchengladbach. The 26-year-old had only just returned from injury.

Werder Bremen playmaker Johan Micoud has become the most prolific Frenchman in Bundesliga history after scoring his 26th league goal in Saturday's 4-1 success at 1. FC Köln. Micoud, 32, eclipsed the mark set by former VfB Stuttgart star Gilbert Gress in the 1960s.

Costa Rica's Deportivo Saprissa beat 10-man Sydney FC 1-0 to set up a FIFA Club World Championship semi-final with European champions Liverpool FC on Thursday. A goal from midfielder Christian Bolanos two minutes into the second half gave CONCACAF champions Saprissa victory in chilly Toyota, central Japan. Alvin Ceccoli was sent off for the Australian side in the 81st minute.

New Wisla Kraków coach Dan Petrescu has unveiled his coaching staff at the Polish club. The 37-year-old former Romanian international will be assisted by Cristinel Pojar and Kazimierz Moskal, with Dan Stingaciu operating as goalkeeping coach and Michele Bonn as fitness trainer. Caretaker Tomasz Kulawik will remain on the staff.

Swiss club FC Aarau have parted coach with coach Andy Egli following Sunday's 3-0 defeat at FC Zürich which left the team bottom of the Super League. Assistant coach Didi Münstermann has taken temporary charge, with president Michael Hunziker admitting: "We haven't spoken to any candidates yet." Hunziker said of the decision to change coach: "The entire first half of the season has been a disappointment." Egli had occupied the helm since August 2004.

Manchester City FC will sign Finnish international midfielder Tuomas Haapala on a six-month contract once the January transfer window opens. The 26-year-old, a free agent since leaving Myllykosken Pallo-47 at the end of the 2005 Finnish season, has impressed during a trial at the English Premiership club.

Club Atlético de Madrid midfielder Peter Luccin faces several weeks on the sidelines after sustaining a knee injury during Sunday's 1-1 home draw with Deportivo Alavés. The 26-year-old limped out of action in the 55th minute and was today diagnosed with sprained ligaments in his right knee.

Sakıp Özberk has resigned as coach of Turkish club Rizespor to be replaced by Güvenç Kurtar. With Rizespor lying fourth-from-bottom in the Superleague, Özberk explained his decision to step down after only eight weeks in the job, saying: "During my reign, the team have taken nine points from eight games. The board were not satisfied with this, and that is why I am standing down." Kurtar returns to top-flight coaching after being relegated with Akçaabat Sebatspor last season, and having subsequently worked as a media pundit.