C'Ron fit for Hungary tie

AFP, Lisbon

Real Madrid striker Cristiano Ronaldo is fit to play in Portugal's crunch World Cup qualifier against Hungary on Saturday after recovering from a twisted ankle, according to coach Carlos Queiroz.

"All the players are fit with the exception of Tiago, who has not recovered," Queiroz said.

Ronaldo, who resumed normal training with teammates on Friday, added: "I'll be fit for tomorrow's match and the following one."

Benitez fumes over Dutch stars

AFP, Liverpool

Rafael Benitez has revealed that he attempted to persuade the Netherlands not to take Dirk Kuyt and Ryan Babel to Australia for their friendly in Sydney.

The Liverpool boss was unhappy that two of his players were being asked to fly to the other side of the world for a friendly.

"We tried to talk with the Dutch Federation about Dirk and Ryan having to travel so far, but they have the right to call the players up for these games, " Benitez said.

"We tried to find some kind ofsolution. But it was impossible and it is not an ideal situation for them to travel to Australia for a friendly."

Benitez's mood was hardly likely to be improved by news from Australia that Kuyt is unlikely to play in Saturday's match after sitting out training on Friday with an ankle injury he suffered in the defeat at Chelsea on Sunday.

Saudi prince mulls L’pool investment

AFP, London

Prince Faisal, a member of Saudi Arabia's royal family, is contemplating an investment in Liverpool that could go as far as a full buyout of the club, according to the head of his investment vehicle, F6.

Liverpool's American owners, Tom Hicks and George Gillett, have confirmed they are looking for new investors and Faisal is considering buying a shareholding that "could go from anything from nought to 100 per cent," Barry Didato was quoted as saying by the BBC.

Didato stressed however that the Saudi prince has concerns over the apparently strained relationship between Hicks and Gillett, and the level of debt Liverpool has acquired since they took over the club in February 2007.

Prince Faisal - or Prince Faisal bin Fahd bin Abdullah al-Saud -- has only held talks with Gillett to date and has established a "chemistry and shared vision," between them, Didato was quoted as saying.