By JOHN BOSCHINI

AS Roma has accepted the resignation of manager Claudio Ranieri following a string of poor results, culminating with a 4-3 loss to Genoa over the weekend after the club held a three-goal lead. It was the fourth-consecutive defeat for the Serie A side, who currently sits in eighth place after being tipped as a title contender at the beginning of the season.

Former Roma striker Vincenzo Montella has been appointed as manager for the rest of the season. The 36-year-old striker played for the club for a decade before retiring in 2009.

Speculative reports from England indicate that a replacement could be found in Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti, should he lose his job at Stamford Bridge.

Here are a few more stories to kick off your week:

EVRA SIGNS CONTRACT EXTENSION

Manchester United and defender Patrice Evra have agreed to a contract extension that will keep the  left back at Old Trafford until 2014.

The 29-year-old French international came to Manchester United in 2006 and has won three league titles and a Champions League trophy with the Red Devils.

EGYPT REQUESTS MATCH POSTPONMENT

The Egyptian FA is requesting that an African Cup of Nations qualifier against South Africa scheduled for next month be postponed, as political turmoil continues following the resignation of President Hosni Mubarak.

The Egyptian domestic league has been suspended since January and a scheduled friendly against the United States was cancelled. The Egyptian federation said that even if the political situation stabilizes soon, it would be unfair for the match to be played because domestic players have been out of action for a long period of time.

LEYTON ORIENT HEADING TO VEGAS

The players of League One side Leyton Orient will be treated to a summer trip to Las Vegas after holding Arsenal to a draw over the weekend in the fifth round of the FA Cup.

Orient chairman Barry Hearn said that the revenue generated from a replay at the Emirates stadium would also help the club mount a legal challenge against West Ham United's move to the Olympic Stadium, which is in close proximity to Leyton Orient's home ground.

VAN DER VAART HURT AGAIN

Tottenham midfielder Rafael Van der Vaart is expected to miss the next 10 days after a re-occurrence of his calf injury.

He'll be out for this week's Premier League match against Blackpool, along with Gareth Bale, but he is expected to return for the March 6 game against Wolves.

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What do you think about Ranieri's resignation? Who would be a good replacement at Roma? Do you see Evra keeping up his high level of play for three more years at Old Trafford? Think that Egypt should be permitted to postpone the ACN qualifier? Impressed by Leyton Orient's performance against Arsenal? Think Van der Vaart will ever be fully fit this season?

Share your thoughts below.