Uefa president Michel Platini has played down fears over the state of the Luzhniki Stadium pitch ahead of Wednesday's Champions League final.

Groundsman Matt Frost has admitted the pitch is a concern, but Platini does not believe it will be a problem.

"I think we should wait until the players have trained on it and the coaches have seen it first," he said.

"They are the ones who will decide on the state of the pitch. But I have not heard of any problems so far."

Uefa is confident the pitch, home to Torpedo and Spartak Moscow, will not be a problem, although it admitted it may not look good.

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Barcelona are close to agreeing a deal to take Manchester United defender Gerard Pique back to the Nou Camp.

The 21-year-old left the Catalan giants to join United as a trainee in 2004, but has struggled to hold down a first team place.

Txiki Beguiristain, Barca's sporting director, said talks "are well-advanced", and a deal could be done after the Champions League final.

Pique has made 13 appearances for United this season, scoring twice.

The Spaniard netted in the 4-0 Champions League win over Dynamo Kiev in November and was also on the scoresheet in the 1-1 draw away at Roma in December.

606: DEBA

Arsenal have been in contact with Marseille midfielder Samir Nasri with a view to signing the France international, BBC Sport understands.

The 20-year-old is believed to have a £13.5m buy-out clause in his contract, but it is not known whether Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has agreed a fee.

Nasri, who said he may have played his final game for the club, is renowned for his pace and dribbling skills.

He was named in France's provisional 30-man squad for Euro 2008 on Sunday.

Nasri joined Marseille as a nine-year-old and made his league debut during the 2004-2005 season.

606: DEBATE

Premier League footballer Joey Barton has been jailed for assault and affray.

Barton, 25, was arrested in Liverpool on 27 December 2007 after he was involved in a confrontation outside a McDonald's restaurant in the city.

The midfielder, of Foxbank Close, Widnes, admitted the charges last month but reporting restrictions were only lifted on Tuesday.

He appeared at Liverpool Crown Court where he was jailed by a judge for six months.

Leicester centre Dan Hipkiss has been called into the England squad to tour New Zealand next month after Danny Cipriani was ruled out through injury.

Cipriani suffered a serious ankle injury playing in Wasps' Premiership play-off game on Sunday.

"We discussed the candidates and we all agreed there was good cover at fly-half so we decided to go with Dan," said England manager Martin Johnson.

"He gives us more options at centre. He has played well and deserves a chance."

Charlie Hodgson is the only specialist fly-half in the squad, but with Olly Barkley and Toby Flood also capable of playing at number 10, the selectors decided to add another centre to the party.

Hipkiss, 25, who has won six caps for England, said he would make the most of