Jansen recovers following accident

Matt Jansen, the Blackburn Rovers and England striker, is recovering in hospital after being involved in a motorcycle accident while on holiday in Italy, the Premiership club confirmed yesterday.

Jansen, 24, who was close to a call-up to the full England squad for the World Cup, is expected to be allowed home in the next few days. A statement from the Ewood Park club read: "The club can confirm that Matt Jansen was involved in a motor accident in Rome last Sunday evening.

"Matt was admitted to hospital having suffered concussion and minor cuts and bruises. His girlfriend was travelling with him, but was not injured. Matt was subsequently transferred to another hospital and remains there under observation. He is improving daily, but requires more rest before being given the all clear to return home early next week. Matt will undergo further tests on his return to Blackburn."

The Scotland manager, Berti Vogts, has tried unsuccessfully to tempt Duncan Ferguson out of international retirement for just one match, it was been revealed.

That fixture was to be Scotland's European Championship qualifier with Germany at Hampden Park in June next year, but the Everton striker stuck by his decision never to pull on a Scotland shirt again. Vogts said: "I spoke to Ferguson for 15 minutes. The Germans do not like tall and powerful attackers running at them." The former Germany coach is now expected to ease the Sunderland striker Kevin Kyle into the Scotland target man's role.