Saina beats Tai Tzu

* Former athlete Henry Rebello,who had represented India in the 1948 Olympic Games in London,died in Gurgaon on Tuesday morning after a long illness. He was 84,and is survived by a daughter and two sons. Rebello,a triple jumper,took the top spot in a pre-Olympic event for London. Noted commentator Harold Abraham tipped him for the gold medal. That was not to be as he pulled a muscle in his first jump in the finals,and had to withdraw. Fate had been cruel,he was about to take his jump,but told to wait since a medal presentation was on. He had cooled-off when given the green signal,and injured himself in the effort.

Higuain trains separately

* Forward Gonzalo Higuain is training separately from the rest of Napoli’s squad after cutting his face on underwater rocks off the island of Capri. The Argentina international needed eight stitches following the errant dive Monday and Napoli’s medical staff wants him to avoid physical contact with his teammates. However,Higuain is expected to train regularly later in the week and be available for Saturday’s match at Chievo Verona. The incident came a day after Higuain played well,although did not score,in Napoli’s 3-0 win over Bologna to open the team’s Serie A season.

Rudi makes a call,escapes rap

* Roma coach Rudi Garcia will not be fined for talking on his cell phone on the bench. The curious incident occurred during the first half of a 2-0 win over Livorno on Sunday in Garcia’s Italian league debut. Talking on the phone on the bench is not allowed but the referee did not report the incident. Garcia explained that he was simply discussing tactics with an assistant coach up in the tribune,a habit he developed with Lille in the French league. For this weekend’s match with Hellas Verona,however,Roma is organizing a two-way radio for the coaches to use.

Foster out for three months

* West Bromwich Albion goalkeeper Ben Foster could be sidelined for up to three months with a stress facture in his foot,manager Steve Clarke said on Tuesday. The England international limped off after 77 minutes of his side’s 0-0 draw with Everton on Saturday and will have surgery on his right foot later in the week. “There’s no hiding the fact this is disappointing news as Ben is a key player for us,” Clarke said. “He was excellent on Saturday before his injury forced him off.”

‘No talks with Kimi yet’

* McLaren considered signing Kimi Raikkonen last year but there have been no talks — so far — with their former driver since last season,team principal Martin Whitmarsh said on Tuesday. Raikkonen is at the heart of paddock gossip with the driver market thrown into ferment by Mark Webber’s decision to leave Red Bull. Lotus say they are confident they can persuade him to stay.

— Agencies