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England depleted by injuries

Arsenal winger Theo Walcott has been ruled out of England's friendly against Germany after dislocating his shoulder. Walcott was injured in training in Berlin and coach Fabio Capello is now without at least eight of his first choice players. Chelsea's Joe Cole, Ashley Cole and Frank Lampard, Manchester United duo Wayne Rooney and Rio Ferdinand, Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard and Wigan Athletic striker Emile Heskey are all sidelined with injuries. Captain John Terry passed a fitness test on Monday.

AEK Athens fire coach Donis

AEK Athens have parted company with coach Giorgos Donis following a run of poor results. Since an opening day win over Panathinaikos, AEK have struggled for form this campaign and have won just two more league games. The 39-year-old joined AEK as coach at the start of the season after four years at Larissa. It was not immediately known who would be named as Donis' successor.

Zebina to have surgery on left leg

French defender Jonathan Zebina faces another three months on the sidelines. The 30-year-old, who has not played at all this season, will undergo surgery on an inflamed tendon in his left leg. Juventus also announced that French striker David Trezeguet will begin training this week after surgery on both knees had kept him out for most of the scampaign. Midfielders Christian Poulsen and Hasan Salihamidzic could return from injury against Inter on Saturday, and Cristiano Zanetti is also nearing a return.

Drogba receives three-game suspension

Didier Drogba was banned for three games by the English Football Association for hurling a coin back into the crowd during last Wednesday's League Cup match against Burnley. The incident happened after the Chelsea striker was celebrating his goal close to the visiting fans. Some of the Burnley followers threw coins at the Ivory Coast international and he picked one up and threw it back. Drogba will miss Premier League games against Newcastle, Arsenal and Bolton.

Manchester City lose Hart to ankle problem

Goalkeeper Joe Hart could be sidelined for up to four weeks after sustaining an ankle injury last weekend. The 21-year-old was injured Sunday in a collision with Hull striker Daniel Cousin in a 2-2 draw and was replaced after just 18 minutes by Kasper Schmeichel. Hart will not join up with the England squad for this week's friendly with Germany in Berlin.

Schuster to continue at Real Madrid

Real Madrid gave their backing to coach Bernd Schuster and his squad after a poor run of form had led to speculation over the German's future. "The club have complete confidence in the players and the coaching staff," sports director Predrag Mijatovic said on Monday. Schuster has been criticised by fans and local media for a string of below-par performance, including a double defeat to Juventus in the UEFA Champions League, an embarrassing exit from the King's Cup at the hands of third division side Real Union and last weekend's 1-0 league defeat to struggling Valladolid.

Villarreal suffer Llorente blow

Villarreal's leading scorer Joseba Llorente has torn a thigh muscle and will be out of action for a month. The 28-year-old striker picked up the injury during last weekend's 2-2 draw in Malaga. Llorente has scored six goals in eleven league games this season. Villarreal also said midfielder Sebastian Eguren is questionable for Saturday's match against Valladolid after requiring 14 stitches to a head wound picked up in the Malaga match.

Bologna sign Brazilian winger Cesar

Bologna have announced the signing of Brazilian midfielder Cesar, reuniting him with coach Sinisa Mihajlovic. The 34-year-old has been without a club since leaving Inter Milan in the summer. Mihajlovic and Cesar played together at Lazio and were also both at Inter last season, with Mihajlovic an assistant coach under Roberto Mancini. Mihajlovic, 39, has guided Bologna to two draws since taking over for Daniele Arrigoni earlier this month.