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Mancini now wants to stay, Moratti says

MILAN: Inter Milan coach Roberto Mancini now wants stay at the Serie A champions having stated on Tuesday he would quit at the end of the season, club president Massimo Moratti has said.

Mancini, who has four years left on his contract, made the surprise announcement at a news conference after Tuesday's Champions League last-16 loss to Liverpool.

However, the 43-year-old looks set to stay on following talks with Moratti.

"I hope that everyone can understand the outpourings and bitterness in such delicate moments as these. After the match it was Roberto Mancini the coach who spoke from his heart," Mancini said in a statement on Wednesday.

"I thank president Massimo Moratti for giving me strength, understanding the situation and understanding me. I'm sorry for any misunderstanding.

"The team already knows that we're ready to fight until the last minute, and with great intensity, to win our third scudetto and to try to win the Champions League next season."

Kewell, Grella in Australian squad for China qualifier

MELBOURNE: Liverpool's Harry Kewell and Torino midfielder Vince Grella were named Thursday in a provisional 21-man Australian squad for this month's World Cup qualifier with China in Kunming.

Both players missed out on last month's opening 3-0 win over Qatar here, but have been called on by coach Pim Verbeek for the match at altitude against the Chinese on March 26.

The Dutch coach said he was keeping his options open with the entire squad of European-based players and indicated that not all of the players were guaranteed to be called up and some others may also be added.

"We have placed a large group of players on notice that they could be called up for the match," Verbeek said in a statement.

"Some of those players may not end up being included in the final squad and players from the team who play against Singapore (on March 22) could also be added.

"With the short time difference between playing for the clubs in Europe and the China match we need to have options open for us if players become unavailable due to injury."

Barca's Messi to recuperate from thigh injury in Argentina

LONDON: Barcelona has reached an agreement with the medical staff of the Argentine Football Federation (AFA) for forward Lionel Messi to return to Argentina to recover from the thigh injury he sustained during his side's victory over Celtic in the last 16 of the Champions League last week.

Barca said on its website (www.fcbarcelona.com) that the 20-year-old would return to the club at the end of the month to complete his recovery program.

Nadal looks to reign at Queen's Club for Wimbledon prep

LONDON: Rafael Nadal will return to Queen's Club as part of his preparations for Wimbledon, organizers of the warm-up event for tennis' only grasscourt Grand Slam announced.

World No 2 Nadal heads a list of entries that includes newly crowned Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic, British star Andy Murray and reigning Queen's champion Andy Roddick.

"Nadal can play on any surface," said Borg, who won six French titles and five Wimbledons, said of the hard-hitting Spaniard. "If I would pick a winner for Wimbledon in 2008 I would pick Nadal.

"He knows he can play on grass and he knows he can win on it," added Swedish tennis great Bjorn Borg, the last man to triumph on both the clay of Roland Garros and the lawns of the All England club in the same year, 1980.

Serbian guard Pavlovic returns to Cavaliers from foot ailment

CLEVELAND, Ohio: Sasha Pavlovic, a key reserve guard for the Cleveland Cavaliers, who has missed 23 games with a foot injury, was cleared Wednesday to return to the National Basketball Association club.

The 24-year-old Serbian sprained the middle of his left foot January 23 in a 121-85 home victory over Washington.

Pavlovic is averaging 7.3 points over 38 games for the Cavaliers, who have been sparked by NBA scoring leader LeBron James, who is averaging 30.8 points, 8.1 rebounds and 7.4 assists for the defending Eastern Conference champions.

The Cavaliers are 37-27 and rank fourth in the East with a month remaining in the season. The Cavaliers have won five of their past six games, including an 88-80 victory Monday over Portland.

(China Daily 03/14/2008 page23)