Otto Pfister yesterday confirmed his resignation as coach of Togo just three days before their World Cup opener against South Korea. The 68-year-old German stormed out of the team's hotel in Wangen because of the ongoing dispute with the country's football federation over player bonuses. The players have asked for £80,000 each to play in the tournament, plus an additional £20,000 each per victory.

Togo's football federation hinted the dispute was close to being resolved earlier in the week, but the intervention of the country's prime minister, Edem Kodjo, who flew into Germany yesterday, suggested otherwise.

CZECH REPUBLIC BAROS LOSING FITNESS BATTLE

Striker Milan Baros looks certain to miss tomorrow's World Cup opener against the United States. The Aston Villa forward, top scorer in the European Championships two years ago, has been suffering with a foot injury since last week's warm-up against Trinidad and Tobago.

He failed to join his teammates for yesterday's training and team doctor Petr Krejci admits his hopes of making the encounter are slim.

USA KELLER ADDS TO CRITICISM OF BALL

Kasey Keller has added to the criticism of the World Cup ball. Keller shared the fears of former Spurs teammate Paul Robinson about the lightweight Adidas Team Geist ball introduced by Fifa especially for the World Cup.

"These balls are definitely not goalkeeper friendly, " said Keller.

"Most of the rules changes of the last 20 years have not favoured us, so they might as well start on the equipment as well. When you look back at the last World Cup, there were hardly any spectacular longrange goals. We had two in the first game yesterday [Friday], so something is obviously going on."

GERMANY KLINSMANN DEFENDS BALLACK CALL

Jurgen Klinsmann shrugged off the absence of Michael Ballack after his Germany side had got their World Cup challenge off to a spectacular start with a 4-2 victory against Costa Rica.

The manager played down talk of a power struggle with Ballack and insisted he had left out his captain, who claimed he was fit to play, for his own good.

"The decision to leave out Ballack was a normal one for the coach. He said he was ready and could definitely play but we had a scan and saw some injury on his leg. We will never take a risk."

CROATIA KRANJCAR DEFENDS SON'S CALL UP

Croatia boss Zlatko Kranjcar insists son Niko is in his World Cup squad on merit. Kranjcar snr has faced a storm of criticism over the inclusion of the 21-year-old midfielder, who was jeered by his own supporters during last month's warm-up friendly against Iran. "It is not my fault that I am a father, " Kranjcar said, reiterating that Niko's selection was purely professional.

ENGLAND UNITED TO INCREASE CARRICK BID

Manchester United will have to increase their offer for Michael Carrick to around £15million after Tottenham confirmed they have rejected a bid for the England midfielder. Alex Ferguson is eager to bolster his midfield ranks and has been desperately searching for a defensively-minded player who could fill the massive vacancy left by Roy Keane's departure last November. Spurs boss Martin Jol has previously suggested Carrick is a player he would like to build a side around.

The only room for negotiation if United are not prepared to increase their offer would be if striker Ruud van Nistelrooy became part of the equation.