Sport in Short: Football

ARRIGO SAACHI, the Italian coach, said that the Juventus striker, Gianluca Vialli, has been left out of the national squad because his club have experimented with using him in an unaccustomed midfield role.

GORDON SMITH, the former Brighton and Rangers striker, has resigned as St Mirren's assistant manager.

MALTA SQUAD (v Portugal, World Cup Group One qualifying match, Sunday): D Cluett, C Cortis; J Brincat, R Buhagiar, J Buttigieg, J Delia, J Galea, K La Ferla, S Vella; M Degiorgio, M Gregory, N Saliba, C Scerri, R Vella; C Busutti, D Carabott, H Suda, S Sultana.