Collingwood ruled out

LONDON: England batsman Paul Collingwood has been ruled out of the Champions League due to

a torn buttock muscle, but should be fit for his country’s tour of South Africa next month. The 33-year-old Collingwood was due to play for Indian Premier League team Delhi Daredevils in the two-week Champions League, which starts on Thursday. The England and Wales Cricket Board said: “It’s anticipated with rest and rehabilitation, he will be available for the tour of South Africa beginning on November 1.” A scan revealed the muscle tear that occured in last week’s Champions Trophy semi-final loss to Australia. — AP

N Korea in France

PARIS: The North Korea football team arrived in France where it will play three friendly matches as part of their preparation for next year’s World Cup in South Africa. The team arrived in Paris on Monday and immediately left for the western town of Nantes, where they will be based for 11 days. The team will be playing their first World Cup since 1966, when they created a huge upset by ousting Italy on their way to the quarter-finals where they lost to Portugal. North Korea, visiting Europe for the first time in 43 years, will play against second-division team Nantes on Friday before Saturday’s game against Vannes. Their last match will be against Congo on October 13 at Le Mans. — AP

Injured Villa sidelined

VALENCIA: David Villa will be

sidelined for three weeks with a

leg injury and miss Spain’s two remaining World Cup qualifying matches. The Valencia striker was replaced in the 58th minute of Sunday’s 1-0 victory at Racing Santander after tearing a muscle in his right leg,

the Spanish league club said on

Monday. The Valencia striker, who is Spain’s second all-time leading scorer with 33 goals from 52 appearances,

will miss matches against Armenia

on Saturday and Bosnia-Herzegovina on October 14. Villa will also

miss Valencia’s October 18 match against league leaders Barcelona. Spain, the European champions, have already qualified for the

2010 finals in South Africa with a so far unbeaten record in Group 5. — AP