Sporting Digest: Football

The Rangers midfielder Jorg Albertz and the Tottenham striker Jurgen Klinsmann are included in a 40-man Germany squad to prepare for this year's World Cup finals. The injury-plagued Borussia Dortmund defender Matthias Sammer has been left out.

Romania will host the finals of the European Under-21 Championship. All 12 matches will be played in Bucharest between 23-31 May at two venues: the 28,000 all-seat Steaua stadium and the 15,000 all-seat Cotroceni Stadium.

Andy Thorn, the Tranmere defender, has been forced to retire because of a persistent knee injury. The 31-year-old defender had an operation in midweek and was told he risked serious long-term damage if he carried on playing.

Bradford yesterday appointed the club's youth development officer, Chris Hutchings, as assistant manager to Paul Jewell, a role he previously held when City were promoted from the Second Division in 1995-96 under the previous manager, Chris Kamara.