SOCCER SUPPLY

Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema has been ruled out of France's Euro 2012 qualifier against Belarus on Friday night with an ankle injury. […]

Schalke manager Felix Magath believes it will only be a matter of time before Raul demonstrates his renowned goalscoring prowess in the Bundesliga. […]

New France coach Laurent Blanc has given his squad the words of the national anthem - to make sure they can sing along to La Marseillaise as they line up to face Belarus in Paris on Friday. […]

Spain defender Alvaro Arbeloa believes he and his team-mates are comfortable with the pressure of playing as reigning world and European champions and is confident that Vicente del Bosque's side are capable of winning even more silverware. […]

AC Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri has thanked club owner Silvio Berlusconi for bankrolling a spending spree just before the transfer window closed, after the Rossoneri snapped up Robinho and Zlatan ibrahimovic to bolster their attacking otions. […]

Former Liverpool boss Gerard Houllier has emerged as a leading candidate to replace Martin O'Neill as Aston Villa manager after being interviewed by the club's owner Randy Lerner. […]

Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher has pleaded with fans attending his testimonial not to direct abuse towards former team-mate Michael Owen, who will be playing in the charity match on Saturday. […]

Despite coming under fierce criticism for failing to set the World Cup alight, Wayne Rooney has received a commendation from FIFA for his performances in South Africa, and was named as one of England's three best players at the tournament. […]

Bulgaria coach Stanimir Stoilov believes England will always struggle to shine in major tournaments because of the gruelling nature of the English domestic season. […]

David Beckham has targeted an earlier-than-expected return to action with the Los Angeles Galaxy on September 11 after recovering from the injury that ruled him out of the World Cup. […]