| Michael Carrick set for Manchester United return against Valencia in Champions League Midfielder could make his first-team comeback in Champions League group stage clash against Valencia. telegraph.co.uk |
FFA Cup competition on cards for 2011 The FFA hopes to stage a mid-week cup competition in a 2011-2012 A-League season which may start and finish later. foxsports.com.au |
Liverpool welcome back Fernando Torres but doubts over Daniel Agger • Hodgson: 'We see a livelier and a better Fernando every day'• Fingers crossed that Dirk Kuyt will be out for only one monthDaniel Agger has admitted a persistent back injury left him fearing for his career at Liverpool, who will welcome back Fernando Torres for Sunday's derby at Everton and hope Dirk Kuyt's absence will be limited to only a month.Agger is doubtful for the game at Goodison Park having collected another injury on international duty with Denmark this week. The manager Roy Hodgson, who has confirmed Torres, Paul Konchesky and Fabio Aurelio may all be available following injuries, is waiting to discover the extent of the defender's problem but Agger has revealed there was a threat to his career before his back responded to a recent course of a treatment.The 25-year-old said: "The last few weeks I have got new treatment for my back injury and if I had not got it, it could have threatened my career. It has been in my thoughts. In case it was not sorted now, my situation would be unbearable for 10 years. Right now it looks like the treatment is working, but in the back of my head I thought it might get worse again."Liverpool's medical department has allayed concerns of a three-month lay-off for Kuyt. The Dutch international twisted his ankle during Holland's Euro 2012 qualifier against Sweden on Tuesday and suspected he could be sidelined until next year with ligament damage. Following investigations today, however, Liverpool are confident Kuyt may return inside a month.Hodgson said: "The initial rumours coming out of Holland were that it was going to be a really long injury, maybe months. But our doctor and our sports science people are much more optimistic. They think it is more likely to be one month or, if we are lucky, three weeks. He seriously twisted his ankle with ligament damage and we are going to miss him for some matches, that's for sure."The manager added: "He does recover very quickly and the thing about Dirk is that he is always anxious to get back on the football field. If it can done in three weeks, it will be three. If it can be two he'll do it in two – but we are looking at a lay-off. It's disappointing because it is the second time he has gone away with the national team and come back and missed weeks for us."Hodgson confirmed that Torres will be fit to face Everton having recovered from the adductor strain he suffered in the defeat against Blackpool almost a fortnight ago. "We see a livelier and a better Fernando every day," he said. "It was really unfortunate he got that injury against Blackpool but luckily it came before the international break, so he won't miss any more league games for us."Everton have suffered a devastating injury setback after the highly rated 16-year-old Ross Barkley suffered a double leg fracture playing for England Under-19s. Barkley, who has been on the substitutes bench for Everton's past three Premier League fixtures, is regarded as the next outstanding talent to emerge from the club's productive youth academy system but now faces several months out following a collision with a team-mate during the European Championship qualifier in Belgium.LiverpoolFernando TorresEvertonRoy HodgsonAndy Hunterguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds guardian.co.uk |
Barcelona v Real Madrid: Real Madrid coach attacked on arrival in Barcelona for El Clasico Real Madrid players narrowly escaped injury when the team bus was stoned as it arrived in Barcelona ahead of El Clasico. telegraph.co.uk |
Whitecaps partner with EA Sports The Vancouver Whitecaps are partnering with video game giant EA Sports. cbc.ca |