Football in brief: Redknapp calls for goals to maintain European push

Tottenham Hotspur: Manager Harry Redknapp has challenged his players to rediscover their scoring touch following a run of four blanks in the club's last six league matches.

Spurs travel to the DW Stadium to face Wigan Athletic tomorrow, three months after thrashing Roberto Martinez's side 9-1 at White Hart Lane. "We were scoring plenty at that time and now for the last few weeks we've struggled to score as many," Redknapp conceded yesterday. "We're still not letting many in but we're not converting the chances we're created recently."

Latics to relay DW pitch following rugby problems

Wigan Athletic: The club are to relay the pitch at the DW Stadium following recent problems with games staged at the venue. The parlous state of the playing surface, which the football club share with Wigan Warriors rugby league side, came in for criticism after this week's game with Bolton. "After a very harsh winter and intense usage the current surface will be replaced and ready for Latics' home game with Liverpool on 6 March," a club statement read. The pitch will be pulled up after the rugby league visit of Catalan Dragons on Friday.

Murphy urges England call-up for Zamora

Fulham: Midfielder Danny Murphy has given his backing to calls for team-mate Bobby Zamora to be called up to the England squad. The much-maligned striker has enjoyed a revival in fortune this season, scoring 14 goals, including a fine strike in Thursday's 2-1 Europa League victory over Shakhtar Donetsk at Craven Cottage. "His confidence is sky-high. He just gets better each month," Murphy said. "If he carries on the way he is, he's got to have a shout of the squad." The England manager, Fabio Capello, names his squad next week for the 3 March friendly with Egypt.

Briatore steps down as Loftus Road chairman

Queen's Park Rangers: Flavio Briatore last night stepped down as chairman of the club after two years in charge. The Italian bought the club with Formula One chief Bernie Ecclestone in September 2007 and has witnessed 10 managerial changes in his short time at Loftus Road. “My time as chairman has been exciting and incredible,” the 61-year-old said. “I’m proud to have helped save this historic club and to have contributed in paving the way to its future success.” He is succeeded at the club, who lie 19th in the Championship, by Ishan Saksena.