Paraguayan star Salvador Cabanas could be in line to make a sensational return to professional football, as his wife has affirmed that his rehabilitation from the Mexico City attack 14 months ago is nearing completion.

‘El Mariscal’, who was left for dead in a bar in the Mexican capital after being shot in the head, has endured a gruelling schedule of recuperation but has never given up on his dream of playing professional football again, despite being told by doctors that such a comeback was extremely unlikely.

Currently training with Paraguay’s Libertad and formerly of Club America, Cabanas could be in line to surprise everybody after positive words at the weekend from wife Maria Lorgia Alonso regarding his condition.

“According to his Argentine doctor he is 70% recovered, there is still 30 to go,” Alonso told Popular over the weekend.

“We have three months to go before he is completely healthy and can once more dream of playing. It is what we want and the thing Salvador wants most in the world.”

Even if the 30-year-old striker does recover and retake the field, his partner admits that they are currently unsure which club he would appear for; current training partners Libertad, or the Mexican Aguilas he represented to such acclaim before the incident last January.

“We still don’t know where he will play; Libertad is a possibility, but we’ll have to talk with America [where he has a contract until 2012]. We shall have to look at the options and talk to them however,” Alonso speculated.

“The important thing right now is that he feels happy and in Libertad he is doing very well. For the moment, with God’s help, we need to focus on following his rehabilitation.”

Cabanas had been expected to be a part of the Paraguay squad which went to last summer’s World Cup before the incident which left him with a bullet lodged in his brain.

Koeln’s Germany international striker Lukas Podolski is being linked with a summer move to Roma.

Itasportpress.it claims the 25-year-old hitman, who was linked with the capital club last summer, is back on the radar thanks to the prospect of a cash injection from Thomas Di Benedetto, who is in Rome to complete his consortium’s takeover of the club.

Napoli are also said to be keen on the Poland-born Germany forward, but there is also interest from Spain, with Atletico Madrid keeping tabs on him.

Die Geissbocke striker Milivoje Novakovic, 31, is rumoured to be attracting interest from Palermo and Lazio after his impressive performance for Slovenia against Italy in the Euro 2012 qualifier on Friday night.

Israel coach Luis Fernandez wants his men to dig deep in order to pick up a win in their Euro 2012 qualifier against Georgia on Tuesday.

The Blue and Whites ran out 2-1 winners against Latvia on Saturday and can kick-start their qualifying campaign with another victory in Tel Aviv.

The 51-year-old tactician knows the Georgians will make life tough for his side, but wants them to work hard and churn out a result.

“The Georgians are a tough side, they beat Croatia 1-0 and they are capable of playing good football,” he said to FIFA.com.

“It will be very tough for us, and for some players to turn out for a second time in four days will be very difficult. However, if we beat Georgia on Tuesday we will be in a good situation.”

Israel are fourth in Group F with seven points and can leapfrog Georgia with a win tomorrow evening.

18-year-old sensation Juan Agudelo caught the headlines yet again with a close-range equaliser for the United States midway through the second half, earning his side a draw against an Argentina outfit that seemed to have the game wrapped up after 45 minutes.

Esteban Cambiasso opened the scoring late in the opening period after the Argentines had dominated proceedings, and in truth they could have gone in at the break with a far greater advantage than a single goal’s worth. But the USA battled hard, and Agudelo’s equaliser earned them a share of the spoils as the Albiceleste struggled to convert their chances.

Argentina were breathtaking in the first half, controlling the possession and making the Americans look like amateurs with their slick passing play on the edge of the box.

Most of the scoring chances came thanks to Lionel Messi, who sauntered in and out of the American defence at will for the entire 45 minutes.

Seven minutes in the South Americans had their first chance. Angel Di Maria received a pass from Messi outside the area, and the Real Madrid star went into the box, cut to the left and hit a low shot that was saved by Tim Howard.

As the two-time World Cup winners controlled possession, not allowing the United States to have the ball for more than a few seconds, they began playing it to each other with short passes inside the Americans’ dangerzone, reminiscent of Barcelona.

27 minutes in, Messi and Ezequiel Lavezzi enjoyed a little combination that resulted in the Napoli star getting a decent look at goal that went wide of the post. In fact there were several opportunities of this ilk, but Howard was largely untested.

Di Maria had another tremendous chance when he beat his defender and ran towards the front post, getting within metres of Howard. Di Maria went for the clever chip but it was saved by the goalkeeper.

The Americans had their best chance of the opening half when Jermaine Jones held off Javier Mascherano to play the ball down the line to Donovan. The former Everton player cut at the top of the box and played it to a incoming Dempsey, who took a shot that hit a defender. The ball bounced right back to Dempsey who then aimed for the far post with a placed shot that was saved by Andujar.

Yet first goal finally came in favour of Argentina in the 41st minute when Esteban Cambiasso celebrated his 50th cap with Argentina with an easy finish from close range. Messi played another combination with Lavezzi, who then placed a delicate chip into the box right to Messi’s feet, allowing the Barca star to take the ball to the line before passing it in.

Messi’s pass went between the legs of Carlos Bocanegra, finding Di Maria at the front post. Di Maria’s shot was saved, but the rebound fell right to Cambiasso, who powerfully slammed the ball into the roof of the net for the 1-0 advantage.

In the second half, the United States showed a great deal more fight. After Argentina had two chances early, one by Di Maria that went just over the bar and another by Messi from close that was saved by a sliding Howard, the USA started attacking with larger numbers.

Maurice Edu, who played a little higher up, almost leveled with a low shot in the box that went just wide in a clear signal of intent.

Shortly afterwards USA coach Bob Bradley, who was looking for more in attack in the second half, brought on Juan Agudelo of the New York Red Bulls to accompany Jozy Altidore up top.

The young Colombian-born player rewarded his coach in the 59th minute with the goal. Off a set piece, Landon Donovan sent in a beautiful cross that was headed towards goal by Carlos Bocanegra. Argentina goalkeeper Mariano Andujar made the stop, but the ball bounced right to Agudelo who put it home from close with a soft touch, earning the United States a 1-1 draw.

Agudelo had another chance at a header 71 minutes in but sent the ball over the top of the goal.

The Americans looked more organized in the second half, enjoying a great deal more success down the wings. Sadly for the hosts, though, the final deliveries into the box were almost invariably cleared with ease by Argentina, and as such the game finished 1-1.

Sergio Batista may not be pleased with the result, but his side showed elite creativity, giving the nation hope for the future after a dismal World Cup under Diego Maradona. However, that they conceded in the second period, and had only one goal to show for their dominance, must be a cause for concern.

The United States will admit that they were outplayed in technical terms, but yet again Bradley’s men showed bravery and determination in the face of severe difficulty. A draw is the best the hosts could have hoped for, but they fought hard to get it.

Undefeated in their last five contests, USA will take on Paraguay on Tuesday. On the same day a heavily-rotated Argentina side will face Costa Rica.

Tim Howard
67
4
8.5

Excellent performance from the Everton keeper, who performed save after save to keep his side in touch. Could do nothing for the goal.
Jonathan Spector
Flop of the Match
9
26
4.5

A performance to forget – the left back could not handle the pace and potency of Messi and co. and was pulled off at the midway stage.
Oguchi Onyewu
12
13
6.0

Given the run-around in the first half, but improved after the break and made some big challenges. Still a little bit off the pace.
Jay DeMerit
9
8
6.0

Like his defensive partner did not enjoy the first 45 minutes, but eventually settled down and was solid.
Carlos Bocanegra
14
11
6.5

Suffered along with the rest of the defence against the Argentine attack, but played a decisive part in the equaliser.
Clint Dempsey
14
6
6.0

The USMNT’s main attacking threat in the first period, but faded after the break and was overshadowed by a young pretender.
Michael Bradley
17
8
6.5

Tried valiantly to stem the Albiceleste tide in midfield, and had some good moments late on as the USA battled back into the game.
Jermaine Jones
10
10
6.0

Shackled comprehensively by Javier Zanetti, but had a few moments of danger late on.
Maurice Edu
9
10
5.5

Another man given a thankless task in midfield – a bit further up than he usually plays, at that – and for much of the game failed to compete with the likes of Banega and Cambiasso.
Landon Donovan
22
6
6.5

A big game needed a big performance, but the LA Galaxy man was invisible for long stages of the encounter. His evening was saved by an excellent cross to provide the goal – worth the admission alone.
Jozy Altidore
13
9
5.5

Anonymous in the first half, and deservedly replaced. Not entirely his fault however as possession was scarce and the 4-5-1 doesn’t suit him.
• Substitutions
Argentina Argentina
Mariano Gonzalo Andújar
17
14
6.0

Saw little action as the play revolved around the US penalty area, but will be disappointed he couldn’t do more to keep out the goal.
Javier Adelmar Zanetti
46
4
7.0

His usual assured self, marshalling the right flank, and had his opposite number well under the thumb. Could have done more to support the Albiceleste attack at times.
Nicolas Andres Burdisso
13
17
5.5

Less than decisive in a number of situations, and struggled to contain Agudero when the explosive youngster came on at half time.
Gabriel Milito
13
17
6.5

Should have done better in marking the set piece which led to the equaliser, but otherwise a solid run out for the Barcelona man.
Faustino Marcos Alberto Rojo
23
8
7.0

The youngster did his chances no harm with an excellent attacking display, even if at times his enthusiasm got the best of him and he was caught up the field.
Ever Banega
46
5
7.5

The quiet engine man of the midfield, for 90 minutes most of the positive play emanating from the South Americans passed through his cultured feet.
Javier Mascherano
32
10
7.0

His ‘normal midfield destroyer’ skills were largely unnecessary as his team dominated possession, but had a decent match as the link between defence and midfield.
Esteban Matias Cambiasso
51
7
8.0

Scored the Argentines’ only goal with a thundering finish in the first half and got forward well, but blotted his copybook by squandering an excellent chance to put his side back in the lead.
Ángel Fabián Di María
38
10
7.0

At the same time exhilarating and frustrating to watch. Did brilliantly in pushing himself into attacking positions, but too often chose the wrong option when it counted.
Ezequiel Lavezzi
37
7
7.0

A more understated display from the Napoli man than some of his team mates, nevertheless El Pochi worked hard and was invaluable in playing in others.
Lionel Messi
Top of the Match
119
53
8.5

An out-of-this-world performance in the first half suggested that La Pulga was going to run off with the plaudits, but he couldn’t reproduce such a high level in the second and make the difference for his team.