An unfortunate gym mishap for Sam Gibson aside, the injury outlook at North Melbourne continues to improve ahead of a pivotal fortnight for the Kangaroos.Gibson is in doubt for Saturdays clash against Sydney after suffering a broken nose but the Roos could regain Scott Thompson, Ben Brown, Ben Jacobs, Sam Wright and even long-term absentee Shaun Higgins for the Hobart encounter.The eighth-placed Kangaroos need all the help they can get as look to stave off a late challenge from ninth-placed Melbourne with wins against the Swans and then Greater Western Sydney.Roos coach Brad Scott told reporters on Wednesday Gibson sustained a broken nose and a nasty gash to his face after he slipped and dropped a barbell on his head on Tuesday morning.Hes not ok, hes pretty sore at the moment, Scott said.He was sent to hospital just to rule out any other facial fractures, which hes clear of.Hes a bit uncomfortable but were still really optimistic hell be available to play this week.Gibson has played the past 105 games without a break - the longest active streak in the AFL.Higgins hasnt played at any level since knee surgery after round seven but Scott is confident the veteran is capable of slotting straight back into the senior side without a stint in the VFL.In further good news for North, key forward Jarrad Waite is making better than expected progress in his recovery from hip surgery a fortnight ago and is a chance to return against the Giants at Etihad Stadium in round 23.The Demons can snatch eighth place from the Roos if they win their last two games - against Carlton and Geelong - and North lose against Sydney and GWS.But Scott is intent on improving his clubs position in the eight rather than holding off Paul Roos emerging side.Were not happy to finish eighth, he said.Once round 23 is done theres a week off before eight clubs get to launch an assault on the finals, thats what were looking at but were going to have to play some pretty good footy in the next two weeks to get that opportunity.Our view is that were looking to play our best footy to make an impact in September - its not about just getting there.Scott dismissed suggestions a decision on the playing future of AFL games record holder Brent Harvey would be made at a scheduled board meeting on Wednesday night, adding all personnel moves will be left until the end of the Roos 2016 campaign. . The 29-year-old from Port Colborne, Ont., has nothing but good things to say about former U.S. marine Liz (Girlrilla) Carmouche ahead of their co-main event Wednesday on the UFCs "Fight for the Troops" televised card in Fort Campbell, Ky. . But Bourque, who has missed three games with a lower-body injury, wont be in the lineup when the Habs travel to Buffalo to take on the Sabres on Wednesday. .7 million, one-year contract, a raise of $2.2 million. Wieters had asked for $8.75 million and the Orioles had offered $6. . But what about the officials? Every sport has officials and they also have stories about hard work and sacrifice but their accomplishments are seldom recognized by anyone outside their inner circle. . Aaron Harrison scored a 22 points for Kentucky (6-1), which has won four in a row following a Nov. 12 loss to current No. 1 Michigan State. Julius Randle overcame a scoreless first half and added his sixth double-double in as many games with 14 points and 10 rebounds. BOCA RATON, Fla. -- Lane Kiffin was only 31 when the Oakland Raiders provided his first opportunity to become a head coach, and he insisted that he was ready.He was wrong.And he probably wasnt ready to coach Tennessee at 32 or USC at 34, either.Now 41, and freely acknowledging that hes made more than a few mistakes along the way, Kiffin thinks hes truly ready this time to lead a program -- and Florida Atlantic is betting hes right. Kiffin signed his five-year contract to become the Owls new coach on Tuesday, a deal paying him $950,000 annually and coming with a stiff buyout if he wants to leave anytime soon.The things you go through, if you look at them the right way and you learn from them, they make you stronger, Kiffin said. I know that sounds like a line, but they do. Ive got a unique life with a lot of unique experiences, but that makes me so much better prepared and so confident about doing this. Probably 10 years ago, I wouldnt have gone about this the right way. But you change.Hell live a double life for the next few weeks. Kiffin is still the offensive coordinator No. 1 Alabama -- hes going to be there for Tide coach Nick Sabans 7:30 a.m. staff meeting in Tuscaloosa on Wednesday -- preparing for a College Football Playoff semifinal against Washington on Dec. 31 while trying to build a staff at FAU.Some major changes await. Kiffin once counted 48 people at an Alabama staff meeting; there is no way to get 48 people into what will be his staff room at FAU. But in three years under Saban, Kiffin learned from one of the best in the college game and plans to incorporate those lessons in sunny Boca Raton.People grow up, FAU athletic director Patrick Chun said. Its a small enough industry where you can call people, we have mutual friends who would tell me what they think. We spent two three-hour settings together and the good thing with Lane, you dont have to spend a minute evaluating the football piece. This was about fits, values, who are you ... thats where he won me over.Kiffin poked plenty of fun at himself Tuesday, referencing some of his well-known past squabbles with coaches such as Urban Meyer and how Saban seemed to have aa penchant for giving him a number of ass-chewins during his three years with the Tide.ddddddddddddhun said hes certain FAU is getting a more humble, less brash Kiffin -- who has family in Florida, including his father, longtime coach Monte Kiffin.He simply wanted to be the next head coach of FAU more than anyone else we talked to, Chun said.At Alabama, Kiffin was part of a program that has been ranked every week and no lower than No. 3 in any of the last 21 installments of the AP Top 25. At FAU, he inherits a program that has won 15 games in the last four years and has never received a single vote in the AP poll.FAUs last home game this season drew less than 6,000 fans. With Kiffin, the Owls expect plenty of extra eyeballs.The school in the world that is trending most on Twitter in the last 24 hours is FAU, school president John Kelly said.Kiffin becomes the fifth coach in FAU history, after Howard Schnellenberger, Carl Pelini, Brian Wright and Charlie Partridge. The Owls are giving Kiffin $1.7 million for assistant coach salaries, and his buyout starts at $2.5 million in the first year and decreases by $500,000 in each subsequent year.Kiffin went 5-15 with the Raiders in 2007 and 2008. He was 7-6 at Tennessee in 2009, then bolted for USC -- where he went 28-15 in parts of four seasons. The Owls hope both sides can revive the other; FAU went 3-9 in each of the last three seasons and hasnt been to a bowl since 2008.It was very obvious that Florida Atlantic is committed to winning and committed to doing it together, Kiffin said. At Florida Atlantic, we will see great things happen. For us to do the impossible, we have to see the invisible.Kiffin met with the FAU players on Monday night, about two weeks after Chun met with them to tell them why he fired Partridge and promised hed deliver the best coach to lead FAU forward.He felt that was a promise kept.I was able to present to our team the best coach possible, Chun said.---More AP college football:
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