Barça doubts over defensive duo

FC Barcelona are sweating over the fitness of two defenders - captain Carles Puyol and full-back Juliano Balletti - after both departed training with knee injuries today. The Spanish leaders face Chelsea FC in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League Round of 16 tie next Wednesday.

Deportivo Alavés midfielder Santiago Carpintero faces up to four weeks out after tearing a hamstring in a Primera División match against Málaga CF last weekend. The 29-year-old underwent extensive tests yesterday. Getafe CF striker Riki faces a similar spell on the sidelines after he damaged a thigh muscle against RCD Mallorca on Sunday.

Belgian side K. Lierse SK have sacked assistant coach Patrick Deman, goalkeeper Cliff Mardulier and captain Laurent Fasotte following an investigation by the Belgian Justice Department into a possible betting fraud. "I can confirm that police raided the houses of the people in question and they were taken for questioning," said a spokesman for the public prosecutor. "They have since been released pending further investigation."

Dundee United FC striker Jim McIntyre has been ruled out for rest of the campaign with a slipped disc, joining player-manager Craig Brewster (leg fracture) on the sidelines. "Jim is in the same boat as me in that hopefully he'll be fit in time for pre-season training," said Brewster. "It's really disappointing news."

OGC Nice forward Marama Vahirua has extended his contract until June 2010. The Tahiti-born striker joined the Côte d'Azur outfit from FC Nantes Atlantique in June 2004 and has missed just four Ligue 1 games this season. Nice play AS Nancy-Lorraine in the French Cup final on 22 April.

Reports in France suggest Arsenal FC have signed Carl Parisio, 16, from French third division outfit AS Cannes. Real Madrid CF star Zinédine Zidane and Juventus midfielder Patrick Vieira are just two of the famous names to emerge from the Cannes academy.

MKS Cracovia SSA have promoted Albin Mikulski from sports director to head coach. The 49-year-old has previously coached MKS Pogoń Szczecin, KSP Polonia Warszawa - who he led to Polish Cup glory in 2001 - and KSP Polonia Warszawa. Mikulski will be assisted by former caretaker coach Mirosław Hajdo.

Polish top-flight strugglers GKS Górnik Łęczna have made their eighth new signing of the winter break with the acquisition of Macedonian Under-21 international Borče Manevski from FK Pobeda Prilep, while Górnik Zabrze have brought in Mateusz Sławik, Damian Seweryn and German goalkeeper Carsten Nulle.

Halmstads BK have signed striker Magnus Arvidsson from FC Hansa Rostock on a two-and-a-half year contract. "[Halmstad coach] Janne [Andersson] has kept close tabs on Arvidsson for more than two seasons and sees great ability so there's no doubt about what we are getting," said the Swedish side's chairman Arne Ekstrand. "He's a top-class player."