Football in brief: David Villa in hospital | Falkirk sign Vaulks

Published on 12/02/2013 01:17

BARCELONA striker David Villa has been admitted to hospital with kidney stones.

A club statement said: “The club’s medical services have announced that David Villa was admitted to hospital due to a nephritic colic infection. The player will undergo kidney stone treatment in the coming hours. At this point, David Villa is doubtful for the match against Granada on Saturday.” The 31-year-old Villa scored in Sunday’s 6-1 rout of Getafe.

Notts County avoid winding-up threat

Notts County’s winding-up order has been dismissed in the High Court. The npower League One club were issued with a winding-up petition by Her Majesty’s Revenue & Customs (HMRC) on Friday relating to VAT and PAYE monies due on 19 December last year. County, the world’s oldest professional football club founded in 1862, issued a statement saying they were confident they had no case to answer. And, at a hearing in London yesterday morning,

that proved to be the case.

Vaulks playing for free at Falkirk

Falkirk yesterday completed the signing of former Tranmere defender Will Vaulks after he offered to play for free. The 19-year-old impressed during a trial with the Bairns but was told the First Division outfit’s current financial state meant there could be no contract offer. However, after Vaulks asked to be given the opportunity to earn a deal, Steven Pressley has snapped him up for the remainder of the season.

Brazilian agent fined over code

Brazilian agent Renato de Moura Ricardo has been fined 7,000 Swiss francs by Fifa’s Disciplinary Committee after being found guilty of violating the players’ agents regulations and the code of professional conduct. Renato has also been ordered to pay costs for the case which was referred by the FA to Fifa in June 2011 and relates to the transfer of goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes to Tottenham Hotspur from PSV Eindhoven.

Arsenal let Santos join Gremio on loan

ARSENAL defender Andre Santos has joined Gremio on loan until the end of the season, the Barclays Premier League club have announced. Santos moved to Arsenal from Fenerbahce in August 2011, but has failed to hold down a regular place in Arsene Wenger’s first team. The form of Kieran Gibbs and the arrival of Nacho Monreal means the Brazilian left-back has made only six starts for the Londoners this season.