Sports Shorts: Former United striker Cole has kidney transplant

Former Manchester United striker Andy Cole is recovering in hospital after undergoing a kidney transplant, the club said in a statement on Friday.

Cole, who won the treble with United in 1998-99 and scored 121 goals for the club in 275 appearances, had the transplant as part of his treatment for the nephrotic syndrome focal segmental glomerulosclerosis.

"Andrew and his family would like to thank the club and fans for their support," United said on their website.

"They also request that he can continue with his treatment in private, and ask that their privacy is respected."

The 45-year-old Cole joined United from Newcastle United midway through the 1994-95 season and scored five goals in a 9-0 rout of IpswichTown. The following season he helped United win the title, pipping Newcastle to the crown.

He later struck up a prolific partnership with Dwight Yorke.

After leaving United Cole had spells with Blackburn Rovers, Fulham and ManchesterCity, taking his Premier League goal tally to 187, behind only Alan Shearer and Wayne Rooney.

'Champions League changes damaging for clubs'

Europe's football clubs and supporters are not fully aware of the extent of the damage which will be caused by upcoming changes to the Champions League, according to a leading regional league official.

Lars-Christer Olsson, the head of the EPFL umbrella organisation representing Europe's domestic leagues, said he had still not given up on trying to persuade European soccer governing body UEFA to change its mind.

He added that, if implemented, the new system could turn many leagues into one-horse races with the same team winning year after year.

"Those who already have a lot will get much more... and that is the biggest threat," he told Reuters in a telephone interview.

Last year, UEFA approved additional slots for clubs from England, Spain, Germany and Italy in the lucrative Champions League group stage, while reducing those allocated to teams from smaller leagues.

It added that participating clubs would get significantly more revenue under the new format which runs from 2018-21.

Clubs which take part in the Champions and Europa Leagues are already given generous payments by UEFA. Critics say this gives them a huge advantage over domestic rivals who do not qualify for Europe and also creates a snowball effect.

Liverpool's Mane to miss rest of season with knee injury

Liverpool winger Sadio Mane requires knee surgery and will miss the rest of the season, manager Juergen Klopp said on Friday.

"Pretty sure Mane needs surgery and then it is season over. Impossible that he will play again this season," Klopp told a news conference.

Senegal international Mane has scored 13 Premier League goals this season but suffered the knee injury during Liverpool's 3-1 win over Everton last weekend.

Klopp also said midfielder Philippe Coutinho and Daniel Sturridge are doubtful for Saturday's league visit to StokeCity while English duo Jordan Henderson and Adam Lallana will both definitely miss the game.