Sporting Digest: Football

MARCO VAN BASTEN, the European Footballer of the Year, is set for a recall to the Milan team on Sunday, four months after ankle surgery. The Dutch striker took part in a training game without any problems yesterday and the Italian media reported that he would probably be among the substitutes when the league leaders go to Udinese tomorrow.

BILLY KENNY, the Everton midfield player, has been forced to pull out of the England Under-21 squad for the match against the Netherlands next week. Kenny is to undergo a minor operation on a calf which will rule him out for the rest of the season.

HENNIE MEIJER, the Dutch striker, has joined the Japanese club, Yomiuri Nippon, in the country's new professional league. Meijer, who played for Ajax for several years before joining Groningen five years ago, signed a one-year contract.

LIBERTADORES CUP Quarter-finals, first leg: Flamengo (Bra) 1 Sao Paulo (Bra) 1; Universidad Catolica (Chile) 3 Barcelona (Ecu) 1; Cerro Porteno (Par) 1 Olimpia (Par) 1; America/Cali (Colom) 2 Sporting Cristal (Peru) 2.