Football in Brief: Gennaro Gattuso to return in friendly with PSG

AC MILAN midfielder Gennaro Gattuso, sidelined since September with a rare eye injury which led to speculation that his career was under threat, is set to make his return in today’s friendly against Paris St Germain.

“He will play for at least 45 minutes,” coach Massimiliano Allegri told Italian journalists in Dubai, where the game against the French side will take place.

Former Rangers player Gattuso, 33, suffered a problem with the sixth cranial nerve, one of the muscles which control the movement of the eye.

Bristol Rovers sack manager Paul Buckle

BRISTOL Rovers have sacked manager Paul Buckle, 42, following a disappointing run of results.

The npower League Two club made the decision after Saturday’s 2-0 defeat at Barnet consigned them to a fourth successive loss, which has left them five points above the Football League’s bottom two. Rovers are at home to Aston Villa in the FA Cup on Saturday.

Darlington go back into administration

BLUE Square Bet Premier side Darlington have been placed into administration for the third time in nine years.

A transfer embargo was imposed on the County Durham club last month after reports emerged that some of their players had not received their wages, with club captain Ian Miller terminating his contract as a result.

Hull City bid to take Steve Harper on loan deal

NEWCASTLE goalkeeper Steve Harper is considering a loan move to Hull City. Manager Alan Pardew has confirmed that the 36-year-old, who had a spell at Brighton earlier this season, is wanted by the Tigers, but no deal has yet been agreed. Tim Krul is established as Newcastle’s first-choice, leaving Harper, who spent many seasons as Shay Given’s deputy on Tyneside, starved of action once again.

Gylfi Sigurdsson makes it a Swansea double

SWANSEA City have made their second signing of the January transfer window with Iceland international midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson joining on loan from Hoffenheim until the end of the season. Sigurdsson, 22, joins Rory Donnelly, a promising 19-year-old striker from Northern Ireland side Cliftonville, as a new arrival at the Liberty Stadium.