Litmanen unlikely to play part for Fulham

Jari Litmanen may not get the chance to play for Fulham after Roy Hodgson, the manager, described the Finland forward as “a luxury we cannot afford at the moment”. Litmanen, 37, joined Fulham on a short-term contract last January but injuries have restricted the former Liverpool player to one reserve-team appearance. Litmanen is unlikely to be in the Fulham squad for tomorrow's home match against Sunderland. “Litmanen is a class player but not a relegation scrap player,” Hodgson said.Fulham are in nineteenth place in the Barclays Premier League, six points adrift of Birmingham City in seventeenth.

Steele shows mettle

Luke Steele is preparing himself for the prospect of not being able to play in the FA Cup Final - even if Barnsley beat Cardiff City in their semi-final at Wembley Stadium on Sunday. The goalkeeper is on loan from West Bromwich Albion, who play Portsmouth in the other semi-final tomorrow. Should West Brom win - and Barnsley also advance - Steele would not be permitted to play against or for his permanent employers. “It's crossed my mind how I'm going to react [if West Brom win], but mentally I've got to be strong,” Steele said.

Rijkaard 'to stay'

Barcelona have denied reports that Frank Rijkaard, the coach, will leave the Nou Camp at the end of the season. A local television station claimed yesterday that Josep Guardiola, the former Barcelona midfield player and coach of the club's B side at present, would replace Rijkaard in the summer. However, a club statement read: “FC Barcelona emphatically denies that a decision has been taken to replace the football coach, Frank Rijkaard, for next season.”

Setback for Mido

Mido, Middlesbrough's Egypt forward, is expected to miss the remainder of the season after undergoing surgery. The 25-year-old, whose first season on Teesside has been undermined by a longstanding pelvic bone injury, has had a hernia operation and it is thought unlikely that he will return in time for any of his side's remaining six matches. Mido, a £6 million signing from Tottenham Hotspur last summer, has started only eight league games for Middlesbrough.

Banks and Pelé unite

Gordon Banks, who provided one of the World Cup’s most memorable moments with his save from Pelé in 1970, will join the former Brazil forward in Stoke on July 12. Pelé will unveil the first part of a triple statue in honour of the former Stoke City and England goalkeeper at the Britannia Stadium. There will be a charity match between a Pelé XI and a Gordon Banks XI to help to fight poverty in Africa. Pelé’s assistant manager will be Archbishop Desmond Tutu.

West Ham face MLS

West Ham United will play a Major League Soccer (MLS) all-star team, which could include David Beckham, in a pre-season match in the United States. The friendly at BMO Field, in Toronto, on July 24 will complete the club's tour to North America. An MLS team defeated Celtic 2-0 last year. “To test ourselves against some of the best MLS players will serve as great preparation for the new season,” Matthew Upson, the defender, said.

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