| Chelsea's Yossi Benayoun to miss Israel Euro qualifiers with new injury • Tear to achilles tendon adds to calf muscle injury• Further tests required to assess full damageThe Israel Football Association has announced that the Chelsea midfielder Yossi Benayoun will miss Israel's Euro 2012 qualifiers against Croatia and Greece and faces several months on the sidelines after picking up a new injury.A scan carried out on Tuesday revealed that Benayoun is suffering from a tear to his achilles tendon as well as a calf muscle injury. "I arrived with hope of helping the national team but unfortunately this is not a simple injury ... An additional test will reveal what needs to be done," said Benayoun on the Israel FA website.Benayoun, a vital component in coach Luis Fernández's plans, was already a doubt for the fixtures against Croatia in Tel Aviv on Saturday and Greece in Athens next Tuesday due to an existing calf strain.He had already scored a hat-trick in Israel's opening Group F qualifier at home to Malta and then participated in the goalless draw against Georgia in Tbilisi. After two matches, Croatia lead the group on four points, ahead of Israel on goal difference, Latvia are third with three points, Georgia and Greece have two and Malta are bottom without a point.IsraelEuro 2012Chelseaguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds guardian.co.uk |
American by way of Germany, Jones fitting right in A year after switching nationalities, German-born Jermaine Jones has finally joined the United States team at a training camp this week. rssfeeds.usatoday.com |
Didier Drogba set to return for Chelsea against Wolves • Frank Lampard not yet recovered from hernia operation• 'Didier looks good and he trained well,' says ClementDidier Drogba looks set to return to lead the Chelsea attack against struggling Wolves on Saturday, but Frank Lampard will have to wait a bit longer for his comeback.Drogba has missed the Blues' last two matches because of a virus but has now resumed full training ahead of the visit of Mick McCarthy's side.Lampard, though, is expected to need more recovery time following his hernia operation. The 32-year-old has been out of action since 28 August.Chelsea's assistant first-team coach Paul Clement confirmed today: "The players who played in Moscow [on Tuesday] were given the day off. The substitutes and players recovering from injury or illness, like Didier Drogba, came in the afternoon and we had a good session with them. Didier looks good and he trained well."Lampard, however, needs more rehabilitation time before he can be considered by Carlo Ancelotti.Speaking to Chelsea TV, Clement continued: "Frank is progressing really well. He had a terrific session earlier in the week with [the assistant fitness coach] Chris Jones doing some individual work – he's really pushing himself. Frank is very frustrated and can't wait to get back.The centre-back Alex will not yet return to the first-team fold as he recovers from a thigh problem. His fellow Brazilian Ramires missed the midweek Champions League victory over Spartak Moscow because of an ankle injury, but should be back in contention this weekend.Didier DrogbaChelseaguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds guardian.co.uk |
Real Salt Lake out to prove 2009 MLS Cup victory wasn't a fluke Real Salt Lake came into the season with a point to prove. "Some people thought that we were fortunate to win the MLS Cup in 2009," said coach ... rssfeeds.usatoday.com |
Russia Pull Out Of 2022 World Cup Bid MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia officially pulled out of the race to host the 2022 World Cup finals Friday, with the aim of solely concentrating on their bid for 2018. feeds.nytimes.com |