Gäste-Ecke » EAST DERBYNewcastle is preparing for the derby agains

FLORENCE, Italy - Forward Pablo Osvaldo and midfielder Thiago Motta have been ruled out of Italys European Championship qualifiers against Azerbaijan and Malta due to thigh injuries.Italy hosts Azerbaijan in Palermo on Friday then makes a short trip to visit Malta on Monday.Having won its opening qualifier in Norway last month, Italy is tied for the Group H lead with Bulgaria and Croatia.Without Osvaldo, the remaining forwards are the likely starting pair of Ciro Immobile and Simone Zaza plus Mattia Destro and Graziano Pelle, who received his first call-up.Mario Balotelli was not called up.In midfield, coach Antonio Conte was already without Daniele De Rossi, who is working his way back from a torn left calf muscle. Wholesale Bruins Jerseys . Messis father, Jorge Horacio Messi, is apparently still under investigation for an alleged 4 million euros ($5.3 million) in unpaid taxes from Messis image rights from 2007-09. Messis public relations firm confirmed Spanish media reports that the state prosecutor has asked for Messi to be dropped from the investigation that began in June 2013. Cheap Adidas NHL Jerseys .7 million, one-year contract, a raise of $2.2 million. Wieters had asked for $8.75 million and the Orioles had offered $6. http://www.cheapbruinsjerseys.com/ . Portuguese sides Benfica and Porto also advanced to the last eight while Basel overcame an early red card to win 2-1 at Salzburg and progress from a last-16 second leg that was briefly suspended because of crowd trouble. Lyon, Valencia and AZ Alkmaar will also be in Fridays draw in Nyon, Switzerland, where the team to avoid will be Juventus -- even though the Italian champions made heavy work of their all-Italian last-16 match against Fiorentina. Cheap Adidas Bruins Jerseys .35 million, avoiding arbitration. Davis led the majors last season with 53 home runs and 138 RBIs, both career highs. He earned $3. Cheap Bruins Jerseys Authentic . -- J.R. Sweezy was the one part of the Seattle Seahawks offensive line that had avoided injuries or having to change positions this season.LONDON -- Usually Friday night is one the quietest times in the frenzied world of the English Premier League. Players can be found on gaming consoles in hotel rooms on the eve of games, or resting at home in anticipation of a Sunday game. But the pre-game calm will be shattered by the closing of the winter transfer window on Friday, with clubs racing to sign reinforcements or offload rejects for the final time this season. Here are five things to know about the transfer deadline-day and the weekends Premier League matches: CLASH OF THE CHALLENGERSManchester City and Chelsea will be relieved their fixture has been shunted back to Monday, minimizing any disruption for their top-of-the-table meeting. "Its the ultimate test," Chelsea defender Gary Cahill said. "Its going to be a really, really tough game." The City squad hardly needs much tinkering. Manuel Pellegrinis side took its goal tally this season to 115 in all competitions with a 5-1 thumping of Tottenham that took them back to the Premier League summit. At the same time, though, Chelsea was being frustrated by West Ham — drawing 0-0 — and travels to the Etihad three points behind City. The game pits the stingiest defence — Chelsea has conceded 20 in 23 — against the leagues most prolific attack — City has scored 68 in 23. "As a collective unit, as a whole team, were working really hard defensively, not just at the back," Cahill said. Chelsea got the better of City in their last clash, winning 2-1 at Stamford Bridge in October. ARSENAL BLIPBeing knocked off the top has taken the wind out of Arsenals title charge. And after being held at Southampton, the Gunners host a resurgent Crystal Palace on Sunday. "The kind of performance we delivered at Southampton will not move us forward, so lets focus to come back on Sunday and produce a good performance," Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said. By then will there be any new faces in an Arsenal side looking to produce a first trophy since 2005? Its unclear. "Are we acttive? Yes.dddddddddddd Are we close to sign anybody? No," Wenger said on Thursday. "There is not long now, that is true." Top of the target list is Julian Draxler, but Schalke doesnt seem to be a willing seller. Schalke sporting director Horst Heldt said he was "very convinced" the 20-year-old attacking midfielder will remain at the German club for the rest of the season. Arsenal will be without midfielders Jack Wilshere, who has an ankle problem, and Aaron Ramsey, who faces several weeks out with a thigh injury. LEAKY TOTTENHAMTottenham was brought down to earth with a bang by City on Wednesday as Tim Sherwoods unbeaten start as manager in the league ended. The north London club, which has conceded 11 goals to City this season, has what seems to be an easy trip to Hull on Saturday. "We have to be positive because we are still fifth, three points behind Liverpool," goalkeeper Hugo Lloris said. "So it is open. We just need to be focused." NORTH-EAST DERBYNewcastle is preparing for the derby against Sunderland on Saturday still trying to replace Yohan Cabaye, having received more than $27 million for the midfielder from Paris Saint-Germain this week. Manager Alan Pardew is waiting for a bid for Lyon midfielder Clement Grenier to be accepted. "He has tremendous creative technical ability," Pardew said. Sunderland, which is out of the relegation zone for the first time since August, signed Argentina striker Ignacio Scocco on Thursday from Internacional. MOYES EYES MOMENTUMManchester United is chasing its first back-to-back league wins in a month when the champions face Stoke on Saturday still in seventh place. David Moyes push for the top four is being helped by how easily record-signing Juan Mata slotted into the team for a 2-0 win over Cardiff on Tuesday after joining from Chelsea. "Juan looked like he had been here for years," winger Ashley Young said. "He had only been training for two days and it was his first game but he has gelled straight away." ' ' '