Bojan Krkic has been called up to the Spain squad to replace Fernando Torres as the Liverpool forward has not recovered from the hamstring injury he suffered at the weekend.

After being left out of the initial squad, Bojan has now be named, and would be hopeful of making his first official appearance for La Roja in order to end speculation over which national team he will choose.

The 18-year-old's father is Serbian and their coach, Raddy Antic, is still hopeful that he can persuade the Barcelona goalscorer to play under him.

That statement forced Bojan to state last week that he wanted to play for Spain because he feels more Spanish, but until he actually does the rumours will persist.

"I am grateful for Antic's interest, but I want to continue growing and learning with Spain," Bojan said. "I hope to be lucky enough to be able to make my debut for them soon."

Vicente del Boque's side take on Bosnia and Armenia in the forthcoming World Cup qualifiers and that could give the youngster a chance to play, even if he only comes off the bench at the end of either game.

Torres' injury may not be the way that Bojan wanted to earn his call-up, but a door has opened after the Liverpool star pulled up during the draw with Aston Villa.

The 27-year-old striker won the game seven minutes from time with a well placed header to put his side 2-1 up after Spurs looked the more likely to go on and win the game. Tottenham were looking for a win after they’re disappointing defeat to Middlesbrough last weekend.  

They got off to a bad start when the Black Cats went ahead through Kieran Richardson’s 25-yard effort that nestled in the corner of the net. Spurs improved after that and deservedly levelled 23 minutes later with a goal from former Newcastle man Jermaine Jenas. There was one final twist however when Cisse got the winner to give Sunderland an unexpected first away win of the season.

The French international has only been at the club since Friday, with his international clearance given with just ten minutes to spare on Friday night.

Speaking to The Sunday Sun Sunderland boss Roy Keane said, “It’s a good start for Djibril.

“He only trained with us on Friday and we only got his registration through on Friday night which allowed him to play.

“I was always going to put him on the bench, but he gives us good options.

“He will challenge the other strikers at the club and it was great for me to look over my shoulder at the bench and see that I had someone to bring on who could give us something different.

“We gave a shocking goal away, but I thought Spurs probably deserved an equaliser at that point,” he continued.

“At 1-1, I would have been happy with a point, but we stuck at it and I think we just about edged it overall.

“It says a lot about the character of my players. What I’ve said all along is that we needed a bit more quality and to be a bit more streetwise.

“And now we’re bringing in players who fit both categories.”

The Black Cats manager also hinted that Cisse could be in for a starting place against Nottingham Forest in the Carling Cup on Wednesday saying, “There is a good chance he will start at Forest.”

Atletico Madrid have today announced the official loan signing of Ever Banega from Valencia on a one year deal.

As last night's Champions League fiestas slowly die down, fans of Los Rojiblancos have even more good news to celebrate today. The club has announced that they have officially struck a deal with Valencia which will see Argentine international Ever Banega join on a one year loan deal.

The midfielder has been linked to the Madrid outfit for a while and it is believed that differences between the clubs have finally been sorted out. The biggest obstacle was the fact that Valencia wanted a fee of €4 million whereas Atleti were only willing to pay €1.5 million. Valencia appear to have caved, though, reportedly accepting a fee in the region of €1.3 million.

Ever Ready

The move will come as a great relief for coach Javier Aguirre, who has been considering various solutions to his midfield problems all summer. Also pleased is Atletico president Enrique Cerezo, who said at the unveiling today: “He is an Argentine international who, in spite of his youth, is one of the most promising players in international football.

“We should emphasise that Ever has extraordinary quality as a player and handles the ball very well, we are convinced that he will be an important part of the group.”

The deal does not come without stipulations, however. Most notable is the option for Atletico to terminate the deal if the player does not abide by the club's code of conduct. It also includes a clause which allows the Madrid side to buy the player after a year for a fee of €11 million.

Speaking today, Banega could not hide his delight at the move, saying: “I thank the President for his words of welcome. I will give my all to help Atletico and I expect that together we will have a great campaign.”

Grateful

The Argentine went on to describe that he was grateful to all who had backed him in his move.

"Kun Agüero spoke well to me of Atleti," he said of his young international teammate.

"He told me that it was a good club that would help me a lot, so I'm very pleased about that. Agüero, too, has always supported me at all times.

"The fact that the team is also in the Champions League fills me with enthusiasm, too."

Looking back on his time at the Mestalla, the midfielder - who was once caught in a sex act on his own webcam - continued, "In Valencia I took chances to play when they came to me, and now I'm looking to do the same here.

"I didn't see the game last night because I was travelling but my representatives told me that the team played very well. This is a good time for the club and the squad did well enough to enter the Champions League, so clearly there is competition.

Atlético Madrid’s sports director, Jesús García Pitarch, has maintained that Fluminense star, Thiago Neves is the last name on their shopping list and if they fail to land him, then there will be no more signings.

Former Juventus and Real Madrid legend Zinedine Zidane has written off the Bianconeri’s chances of success in Europe and he believes Los Merengues will win the Champions League this season.

The Bianconeri will clash with the Spanish champions during their group stage in what promises to be one of the games of the tournament.

Zidane has spoken of both teams chances of success and he is leaning towards the Bernabeu side as he snubs the Old Lady which is not likely to go down too well with Juve fans who still have affection for their hero.

“The game between those two is going to be very strong. I played in Turin and at Madrid, need I say more?” Zidane told La Stampa.

“I will watch the game with great attention but I will be supporting Real Madrid, even though I had a great time in Turin.

“Juventus are a great club with great history and they are one of the most prestigious. I am happy the club returned, it can only be a good thing for European football.

“I think the Bianconeri can have a good run, they have champion players and they are used to success but my favourite for the competition is Real, they will triumph in Rome.”

Zidane arrived in Turin in 1996 from Bordeaux. He spent five seasons at the Delle Alpi before making a world record £52m move to Real Madrid in 2001.

The French man fired Los Blancos to Champions League glory the following season. He was never able to win Europe’s most wanted trophy in Turin and he lost the final of the competition twice in a row against Borussia Dortmund in 1997 and Real in 1998.