Juninho agrees Celtic split

Celtic FC

Tottenham Hotspur FC's UEFA Cup qualifying hopes have been hit by a serious injury to defender Noë Pamarot. The 25-year-old damaged a cruciate ligament in his right knee in Saturday's 1-1 draw at Birmingham City FC. Pamarot, who has played 23 English Premiership games since his €2.5m arrival from OGC Nice last summer, now faces between six and nine months on the sidelines. Tottenham's head of medical services, Dr Charlotte Cowie, said: "Noë has torn the anterior cruciate ligament on his right knee and he's probably looking at a reconstructive operation. The standard rehabilitation time is six to nine months."

DSC Arminia Bielefeld's German international defender Patrick Owomoyela will be back in action earlier than anticipated after the injury he suffered in training last week proved to be less serious than feared. The 25-year-old was expected to miss the remainder of the Bundesliga season with suspected torn knee ligaments, but the problem is with the bursa area around the ligaments and he is likely to be fit within three weeks. This means Owomoyela will be able to play for Arminia before he completes a move to Werder Bremen in the summer. He should also be available for selection for Germany's FIFA Confederations Cup commitments in June.

VfL Borussia Mönchengladbach coach Dick Advocaat has dropped three senior players from his first-team squad, with the trio told to find new clubs. Midfielders Markus Hausweiler (28), Igor Demo (29) and defender Marcello Pletsch (28) have all fallen out of favour since the Dutchman was appointed last November. "At the moment, it is very important for us to stay focused without any disturbing influences," said Advocaat. Mönchengladbach lie 14th in the Bundesliga table, six points off the relegation places.

In Scotland, Aberdeen FC captain Russell Anderson could also return to action before the season's end despite undergoing surgery for a broken nose and cheekbone sustained during Saturday's 1-0 win at Inverness Caledonian Thistle FC. It was feared the 26-year-old would have to sit out the remainder of the campaign, but an Aberdeen spokesman said: "The early indications are that he has a chance of playing this season."

English Premiership side West Bromwich Albion FC have agreed a new two-year contract with defender Paul Robinson, tying the 26-year-old to the Midlands club until the summer of 2007. Manager Bryan Robson said of the player who arrived from Watford FC last season: "I'm pleased we've got him to sign a new deal."

Maltese league leaders Sliema Wanderers FC remain on course for a league and cup double after beating second division pacesetters Mqabba FC 3-2 to reach the Maltese Trophy semi-finals. Marsaxlokk FC joined them there with a 4-2 win against Valletta FC, along with Msida St. Joseph FC, 1-0 victors against Hibernians FC, and Birkirkara FC who came from behind to defeat Floriana FC 3-2. The semi-finals will take place on 13/14 May.