Dugarry blow for Birmingham

Birmingham City FC will be without Christophe Dugarry for a month as the striker needs to rest to cure a persistent knee injury.

Series of injections
The former French international saw a specialist on Monday, who recommended that he undergoes a series of injections before resting until the new year. "We hope the injections will do the trick for his knee," said Birmingham manager Steve Bruce. "The aim is to get him back in the new year."

Madsen move
German side FC Hansa Rostock have secured the services of VfL Wolfsburg's Kim Madsen on loan until the end of the season. The 25-year-old Danish defender joined Wolfsburg in 2002 from FC København, but has struggled to win a first-team place this season.

Finnish return
Another player moving on loan is VfL Borussia Mönchengladbach's 22-year-old goalkeeper Otto Fredrikson, who will spend 2004 at Finnish Veikkausliiga side FF Jaro. The Finnish Under-21 international has failed to establish himself at Mönchengladbach since joining in July 2002.

Striking option
SV Mattersburg have signed Slovenian striker Milivoje Novakovic on loan from ASK Voitsberg for the rest of the season after the 24-year-old impressed coach Werner Gregoritsch during a trial. Mattersburg, in their first-ever season in the Austrian Bundesliga, are currently seventh in the ten-team league.

Contract extensions
Dutch club RKC Waalwijk have extended the contracts of Khalid Boulahrouz and Serginho Greene until 2006. Both were due to become free agents this summer. The 21-year-olds have both become first-team regulars this season.

'No hesitation'
Aberdeen FC have agreed a new contract with midfield player Scott Muirhead until summer 2006. The 19-year-old told the Scottish club's official website: "Having made the breakthrough into the first team this season, I had no hesitation in accepting."