Scotland will not play home Euro 2012 qualifying matches on Friday nights, despite changes to the international calendar. Fifa has ratified plans to play internationals on Tuesday nights instead of Wednesday. Individual associations will retain control over when they play the first part of a double-header, but many could choose to switch to Friday nights to maintain the four-day gap between games.

But Saturday afternoon will be Scotland’s preferred option.

“I imagine Saturday internationals will continue for Scotland,” Gordon Smith, the chief executive of the SFA, said. “Police are not keen on Friday night matches. [Also] fans travel to Glasgow and would probably prefer us not to play on Friday.”

Virus hits Wednesday

Sheffield Wednesday’s players have been ordered to stay away from their Middlewood Road training ground after a virus hit the club. The team drew 1-1 away to Bristol City on Saturday in the Coca-Cola Championship without Darren Purse, the captain, Mark Beevers, Sean McAllister, Akpo Sodje and Etienne Esajas, while Tommy Miller, who was replaced in the 65th minute, and Francis Jeffers, an unused substitute, were also affected. Darren Potter and James O’Connor had only just recovered. A club spokesman said: “This measure has been taken to prevent the possible further spread of infection.”

Pogatetz has surgery

Emanuel Pogatetz will be out for about six weeks after having surgery yesterday on a fractured cheekbone. The Middlesbrough defender made his first start this season against Plymouth Argyle on Saturday, after a knee injury, but his comeback was halted by a clash of heads with a Plymouth defender. “The normal recovery time is six weeks, though he may be able to play sooner subject to medical clearance allowing him to wear a face mask,” the club said.

Boruc out of action

Artur Boruc, the Celtic goalkeeper, has undergone knee surgery that will keep him out for at least three weeks. The Poland international has missed Celtic’s past three matches with a thigh injury. The club agreed to let Boruc have an operation to fix a persistent knee problem once Uefa had granted them permission to include Dominic Cervi, the reserve goalkeeper, for the Europa League clash away to Hamburg on Thursday night.

Cruyff for Catalonia

Johan Cruyff will be unveiled as the new coach of Catalonia next week. Cruyff, 62, the former Holland and Barcelona forward, will be installed on November 9. Cruyff also coached Barcelona — leading them to four Spanish league titles and their first European Cup in 1992 — and has advised Joan Laporta, the president. Catalonia, a region in northeast Spain, play international friendlies against national teams but are not recognised by Fifa.

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