Football: Gascoigne's false start

Paul Gascoigne looks set to miss the start of the domestic season with Rangers. The England midfielder is suspended for Wednesday's Champions' League preliminary round tie with Vladikavkaz at Ibrox and the away return on 21 August.

He is also fighting against an Achilles injury and seems certain to be left out when Rangers meet Raith on Saturday. With England's first World Cup qualifying tie in Moldova on 1 September, Gascoigne has three weeks to convince his manager, Glenn Hoddle, of his fitness.

The Liverpool manager, Roy Evans, is confident that the Czech international, Patrik Berger, will complete his move to Anfield this week. The hold-up in the completion of Berger's pounds 3.2m transfer from Borussia Dortmund centres on a work permit.

Alan Stubbs, Celtic's record pounds 3.5m signing, will miss the Uefa Cup qualifying round first leg against Kosice in Slovakia on Tuesday with a thigh strain. It completes a miserable few days for Stubbs, who, along with his new club, was fined on Friday for using unlicensed agents in his transfer from Bolton.

Celtic's Lee Martin is set to sign for Bristol Rovers to revive his sagging career. The former Manchester United FA Cup winner met the English Second Division club at the weekend and will join them for a nominal fee this week.

The Sunderland striker Brett Angell will join Stockport County of the Second Division for the second time in a pounds 100,000 deal today. Angell had a successful season at Edgeley Park five years ago.

The Hearts manager, Jim Jeffries, is ready to sign the Oldham striker Darren Beckford at the second time of asking. The powerful goalscorer played for the Tynecastle side's reserves in a secret weekend trial and will join on a contract this week.