Soccer-Roundup-Fulham consider signing Finland captain Litmanen

LONDON, Jan 22 (Reuters) - Soccer news in brief from around the world:

* Fulham are giving a trial to Finland captain Jari Litmanen and will decide this month whether to sign the midfielder, the Finnish FA said on its Web site (www.palloliitto.fi).

"I'm very optimistic he can help us in the relegation battle," the English Premier League club's manager Roy Hodgson said in a statement. "Jari Litmanen is a world class professional and still has a lot to give at the top level."

Litmanen, who turns 37 next month, has played for Ajax Amsterdam, Barcelona, Liverpool and Malmo but is currently without a club. Hodgson took over at struggling Fulham in December after failing to steer Finland to Euro 2008.

* Former China captain Li Weifeng will be available for next month's World Cup qualifier against Iraq despite breaking his nose in a friendly against Lebanon at the weekend.

The 29-year-old Shanghai Shenhua defender said he would play in a protective mask in the opening Group A qualifier for the 2010 World Cup finals in Dubai on Feb. 6.

"It will never bother me playing," he was quoted as saying in the Titan Sports newspaper. "The most important thing for me now is get the stitches out quickly to return to the team... I will definitely not miss the match against Iraq."