Sporting Digest: Football

Yugoslavia will face fellow World Cup qualifiers Nigeria in a warm-up match in May, Branko Bulatovic, the president of the Yugoslav Football Association, announced yesterday.

Marcelo Salas, the 23-year-old Chilean striker previously linked with a move to Manchester United and rumored to be on his way to Europe in a multi-million pound transfer, will remain in Argentina with River Plate until after the World Cup, according to his agent, Gustavo Mascardi. Salas reportedly favours a move to Italy. Milan and Parma are believed to be among those vying for his signature.

Middlesbrough striker Chris Freestone has joined Second Division Northampton in a pounds 75,000 deal. The 26-year-old Freestone has spent three weeks on loan with the Cobblers and scored twice against Swansea last Saturday.

Stoke have signed the 29-year-old former Derby striker Marco Gabbiadini from the Greek side Ethnikos on a month's trial. He joins the squad for today's match against Sheffield United