Football

Scott Howie, the Motherwell goalkeeper, could be out of action for six weeks after suffering a fractured cheekbone in Saturday's 2-1 win over Celtic at Fir Park. Howie's cheek is broken in three places and the 24-year-old will undergo an operation today.

Mark Morris, the Brighton captain, will in plaster for three weeks after rupturing ankle ligaments in last week's defeat by Darlington. The experienced defender was the last player brought to the troubled club by the former manager Jimmy Case.

Philippe Albert, the Newcastle defender who was left out for Belgium's two previous World Cup qualifiers against Turkey and San Marino, has been recalled to the squad to play the Netherlands in Brussels on Saturday.

Ronny Rosenthal, the Tottenham forward, and Southampton's recent import Eyal Berkovitch are both included in Israel's 20-man squad to face Luxembourg in a World Cup qualifier next week.

Hearts are set to lose the Italian defender Pasquale Bruno for two matches over the Christmas period. Bruno was booked in Saturday's goalless draw against Raith Rovers and now goes over the disciplinary points threshold. The defender will be banned for games at home to Rangers on Saturday 21 December, and a trip to Dunfermline on Boxing Day.

Mike Milligan, the Norwich City midfielder, was back in training yesterday after receiving head injuries in an incident outside a Manchester nightclub on Saturday night.

Patrick Kluivert, the Ajax striker, has been recalled to the Dutch squad for Saturday's World Cup qualifier against Belgium in Brussels. Arsenal's Dennis Bergkamp and Pierre van Hooijdonk of Celtic are also among the forwards named in the 18-man party.