NO-HEADLINE

Miguel Angel Nadal, the Barcelona defender, has pulled out of the Spanish squad for Sunday's World Cup qualifier with the Czech Republic because of injury. He is replaced by Atletico Madrid's Juan Lopez.

Kevin Blackwell, in charge of Plymouth's youth development scheme for the past two seasons, has been appointed assistant manager to Argyle's manager Mick Jones.

Michael Craig, the 19-year-old nephew of Scotland's Under-21 coach Tommy, has extended his contract with Aberdeen until the end of the 1998-99 season as have his fellow strikers Dennis Wyness and Malcolm Kpedekpo.

Gerd Niebaum, president of the European Cup winners Borussia Dortmund, said yesterday he would not be seeking re-election at the club's annual meeting this autumn because of excessive burdens related to the position.