Carlos Bocanegra (25 May 1979) plays defender for Saint-Etienne in the French Ligue 1 and is the team captain for the U.S. national squad.

After a three-week layoff due to a sprained neck, Bocanegra is back on the pitch. Tuesday night, he played the entire match as Saint-Etienne suffered a 2-0 loss to Auxerre in the French League Cup quarterfinals.

After passing out during halftime of Saturday's Serie A game against Brescia, Inter Milan's Wesley Sneijder has been diagnosed with anemia.

Sneijder has admitted he's exhausted. Can you blame him? Not really.

The 26 year-old playmaker has led Inter to both a Champions League and Serie A league title last season, guided his national team to the World Cup final, and then got married.

After returning home to Los Angeles following the World Cup in South Africa, Landon Donovan forced himself to stay motivated when returning to Major League Soccer.

There is no doubt that Donovan was the best American player throughout the tournament, netting crucial goals against Slovenia and Algeria.

A goalless draw forced Sir Alex Ferguson to accept that Manchester City were a bit too tough for Manchester United to topple at Eastlands on Wednesday.

Chances to take the lead seldom came with both sides' defenses playing at such a high level.

Following the match, Man United manager Ferguson revealed that City packed the midfield and frustrated the Red Devils' attackers.

Michael Turner (9 Nov 1983) plays defender for Sunderland in the English Premier League.

While visiting Tottenham in a Premier League showdown, Turner anchored a Sunderland defense that upheld a 1-1 tie.

Simply put, Turner was fantastic and the heart of the back line. In fact, we here at Soccer Jones would even venture to say that the only reason Tottenham was unable to net a game-winning goal was because of Turner's constant presence on the back line.

Blood tests by Chelsea have confirmed that their star striker, who missed games at Aston Villa and Spartak Moscow last month due to illness, has now been diagnosed with malaria.

Following their match at Anfield, Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti revealed that Drogba did not start due to fever-like symptoms.

Birmingham City striker Garry O'Connor will make his way back to Barnsley on a one-month long emergency loan deal.

The 27 year-old Scottish international had a month-long stint at Oakwell earlier this season, where he netted one goal in four appearances.

Despite reaching an agreement on Friday, technical delays did not allow the deal to be finalized until the beginning of the week.

Juventus' GM Beppe Marotta has squashed speculation as to whether or no goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon is going to leave the Serie in January.

Due to a back injury, Buffon hasn't suited up this season. Last week, the 32 year-old Italian international goalkeeper failed to turn up for an official team photo, which in turn led to speculation concerning his commitment to the team and overall attitude.

Fernando Torres (20 March 1984) plays striker for Liverpool and the World Cup-winning Spain national team.

This weekend, Torres netted both goals to beat Premier League powerhouse Chelsea.

The goals netted by Torres were exactly what his fans have been waiting to see. As of late, rumors have swirled around Torres as to whether or not he is happy playing at Anfield.

Scotland hit-man Kenny Miller has admitted considering quitting international play after being dropped to the bench against the Czech Republic last month.

Manager Craig Levein chose to go with a more defensive 4-6-0 formation in their Euro 2012 qualifier, which didn't do too much good seeing as how they lost 1-0 in Prague.

Manchester City is set to appeal Mario Balotelli's red card he received during their match at West Brom.

Following his two goals that put his side on top, the 20 year-old striker was sent packing after a tossle with Youssouf Mulumbu (who was also later dismissed), in which he appeared to have kicked the West Brom footballer 63 minutes into play.

Liverpool toppled Chelsea thanks to Fernando Torres' two goals for their third straight Premier League victory.

Torres, who has been plagued with injuries over the past several months, may have put an end to those wondering whether or not he is happy playing with the Reds at Anfield.

Andy Carroll (6 Jan 1989) is an English-born footballer who plays striker for Newcastle in the Premier League.

Thanks to a first-half header goal by Carroll, Newcastle toppled Arsenal 1-0 at Emirates Stadium. In a game of few chances, Carroll made the most of his opportunity to make it three wins in a row for the Magpies.

Carlos Tevez's Manchester City future could be in doubt as the 26-year-old continues to struggle with homesickness. He is reported to have made three visits to a psychiatrist on a recent trip home to Argentina.
Full story: The Sun

Manchester United have stepped up their interest in Rangers goalkeeper Allan McGregor after the 28-year-old impressed their chief scout in the Glasgow club's 3-0 Champions League defeat in Valencia on Tuesday.

Liverpool's new sporting director Damien Comolli has only been in the job for 48 hours, but already he has recommended his former St Etienne captain, Blaise Matuidi.

The future French international has been monitored already by the likes of Manchester United and Arsenal. The 23-year-old is also held in high regard at international level.