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Everett continues to show steady improvement

NEW YORK: Buffalo Bills tight end Kevin Everett continued to show significant progress in his recovery from a devastating neck injury, the team said on Monday.

"Kevin Everett remains medically stable in the intensive care unit, and continues to make daily improvement in his neurological status," said team medical director John Marzo in a statement on the team's Web site www.buffalobills.com.

"When examined Sunday evening, Kevin demonstrated increased strength in the muscles of his legs.

"In addition, he was able to show some movement in both hands. Supportive care continues for vital body systems while Kevin begins to focus on his neurological and musculoskeletal rehabilitation."

Everett, a reserve tight end, sustained what doctors described as a 'life threatening' injury tackling Denver Bronco's return man Domenik Hixon on the second half kick-off of their regular season opener on September 9.

England striker Heskey has surgery on broken foot

LONDON: England striker Emile Heskey has had an operation on his foot after breaking a metatarsal in Wigan Athletic's Premier League match with Fulham on Saturday.

In a statement on Monday, his club said on their Web site (wwww.wiganlactics.co.uk), that the injury has now been confirmed as a stress fracture.

Heskey was given a standing ovation by both sets of fans before Saturday's game kicked off at the JJB Stadium following two outstanding performances on his return to the England team in this month's Euro 2008 qualifiers against Israel and Russia.

Wigan's head physio Alan Tomlinson said the rehabilitation process had been carefully planned.

Italy's Troncon set for 100th cap

PARIS: Scrumhalf Alessandro Troncon will win his 100th Italy cap in its World Cup Pool C match against Portugal at the Parc des Princes in Paris on Wednesday.

Troncon, a 34-year-old at his fourth World Cup, was included in the side announced by coach Pierre Berbizier at the squad's St-Remy-en-Provence base in the south of France on Monday.

He started Italy's first pool match, a 76-14 rout by New Zealand in Marseille, and came on as a replacement in the 24-18 win against Romania to take his caps tally to 99.

Troncon, one of eight changes from the starting line-up against Romania, one of them positional, is partnered at halfback by Roland De Marigny.

NBA reinstates suspended referee Crawford

NEW YORK: The NBA reinstated referee Joey Crawford on Monday, five months after he was suspended indefinitely for "improper conduct and lack of professionalism."

Crawford had been axed for his behavior during a game game between the San Antonio Spurs and Dallas Mavericks on April 15.

In the contest, Crawford assessed two technical fouls on Spurs superstar center Tim Duncan during a 76-second span of the third quarter, prompting Duncan to accuse the official of having a "personal problem" with him.

NBA commissioner David Stern lowered the boom on Crawford two days later, suspending the 31-year veteran for the remainder of the season - including the NBA Playoffs and Finals.

(China Daily 09/19/2007 page23)