Sports

Michael Essien is poised to make a first international appearance in more than two years.

The German injured his left hamstring and was carried off on a stretcher during Arsenal's 2-0 victory over Fenerbahce.

Last season's runner-up Napoli impressed in Rafa Benitez's debut on Sunday, comfortably beating Bologna 3-0 in their Serie A opener.

Jose Mourinho's pursuit of Wayne Rooney has added spice to the first big Premier League match of the season.

Daniel Sturridge scored with a superb finish in the first half to give Liverpool a 1-0 win over Aston Villa.

Barcelona say they have signed 19-year-old Suarez to a four-year contract after securing his transfer from Manchester City.

Malaga says Brazilian defender Weligton will be sidelined for two months after having surgery on a broken collarbone.

Del Bosque will announce his squad on August 30 for Spain's World Cup qualifier against Finland on September 6.

Mourinho has drawn up a contingency plan in the event he fails to land his number one target, Wayne Rooney, before the transfer window closes on September 2.

Even by Champions League standards, the stakes are dramatically high for Fenerbahce and Arsenal in the first leg of the playoff round on Wednesday.

Having failed to win a trophy in the last eight years, the 63-year-old is facing more heat than ever before.

Suarez disappointed Rodgers by going public with his desire to leave Liverpool.

Benteke scored twice as Villa came from behind to beat Arsenal, while Liverpool defeated Stoke 1-0 thanks to Sturridge's 37th-minute goal.

Liverpool beat Stoke 1-0 at Anfield thanks to a Daniel Sturridge strike and a Simon Mignolet penalty save.

Holding midfielder Vicente Iborra has been signed since Sevilla are expecting young French midfielder Geoffrey Kondogbia to leave for a bigger club.

Ferguson will be a bystander for the first time since 1986, watching from afar as Manchester United start their pursuit of a record-extending 21st English title.