Crouch out to shoot down United at Wembley

Peter Crouch is out to get his Portsmouth return off to a flying start - by helping shoot down Premier League champions Manchester United at Wembley on Sunday.

The giant England striker returned for a second spell at Fratton Park following an £11million transfer from Liverpool.

Crouch is likely to form a little-and-large partnership with Jermain Defoe as Pompey look to build on their FA Cup triumph, and he cannot wait for the action to get under way.

He said: 'I've got good memories of the Community Shield - I scored the winner in it two years ago, when Liverpool beat Chelsea 2-1.

'I was right by all the Liverpool fans and ran to them - it was a great feeling.

'Sunday is going to be a really difficult match, but we will be fit and ready and hopefully we will give them a good game.

'I think we have had a good pre-season, so hopefully we can continue the way we have been and start the season well.'

Crouch told the club's official website: 'It's a fantastic occasion - like a cup final. It's the first game of the season and all the new signings are out.

'With my great memories of that day, scoring the winner against Chelsea, I'm really looking forward to Sunday.'

Portsmouth's FA Cup final hero Kanu faces a fitness battle to play this weekend.

The striker picked up a dead leg while on international duty with Nigeria and has been stepping up his rehabilitation in order to face United.

With fellow forward David Nugent sidelined with a groin problem, youngster Ben Sahar - on loan from Chelsea - could be included.

Captain Sol Campbell is recovering from a virus and is expected to face United, but fellow former Gunner Lauren is a doubt with a dead leg.

Van der Vaart shines on debut for Real Madrid

Rafael Van der Vaart scored on his Real Madrid debut as the Spanish champions recorded a 2-1 comeback victory against Colombian side Santa Fe at the El Campin Stadium in Bogota on Thursday.

Madrid goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek was forced into early action to deny Venezuelan Luis Seijas and Cesar Valoyes before Real were reduced to 10 men when defender Michel Salgado was sent-off after 20 minutes following a strong tackle on Yulian Anchico.

The home side took advantage of their numerical advantage as Argentinian striker Daniel Neculman, who had earlier seen a shot cleared off the line by Mahamadou Diarra, handed the home side a half-time lead after converting Alejandro Bernal's cross.

But following the second half introduction of Holland midfielder Van der Vaart, who signed from Hamburg on Tuesday, Madrid came to life.

Van der Vaart had a goal ruled out for handball 10 minutes after his introduction, but the 25-year-old secured a goalscoring debut as his 74th minute free-kick from the edge of the area pulled Madrid level.

And just 60 second later, Van der Vaart picked out substitute Pepe, who broke into the area and sealed the win for Bernd Schuster's side.

Real next travel to Germany to face Eintracht Frankfurt on August 12 before taking on Valencia in the season opening Supercopa.

Robinho's agent talks up move to the Bridge

Robinho's agent claims his client is unhappy at Real Madrid and would jump at the chance to move to Chelsea.

The London club on Thursday night made a formal offer for the 24-year-old Brazilian - believed to be in the region of £20 million.

The bid is likely to be rejected with the Spanish champions thought to be holding out for a figure nearer £27m, but Robinho's agent, Wagner Ribeiro, is hoping some middle ground can be found to allow the player to quit the Bernabeu for Stamford Bridge.

Ribeiro told Spanish newspaper Marca from Bogota, where Madrid are currently on tour: "Robinho is very angry with the way the Madrid bosses are dealing with him.

"He calls me every day to know whether anyone has spoken to me about his future and I always have to tell him that no-one has called.

"I have been trying to speak with someone from the club for three days. Robinho does not understand what is going on.

"His ambition is to become the best player in the world but he won't achieve that at Madrid because they treat him like a normal player.

"He didn't like at all the idea of being fourth choice in the plans Madrid have had this summer.

"First they wanted to sign Cristiano Ronaldo but couldn't. Their second option was (Rafael) Van der Vaart. Third is (Valencia striker David) Villa. Robinho is fourth."

Ribeiro suggested Madrid's attitude is pushing Robinho towards the exit door.

"Robinho's plan was to play for Real Madrid for many years," he added. "Where can he find a better club than Madrid?

"But he no longer feels that way. He is getting affection from (Chelsea coach Luiz Felipe) Scolari. He knows Robinho well and calls him every day."

Scolari can see his plans coming together

Luiz Felipe Scolari is happy with the progress he has made during his first month at the club after the Blues arrived back from their Asian tour.

He told Chelsea's official website: 'Now I have more confidence. I play four games and I know my players better. These two weeks with the players are very important to me.

'I know the players very well now, their reactions. I have had one month with the players, every day together. Now I have more choice than before.'

Scolari also hailed the attitude of his players, adding: 'They surprise me in one question - they are very professional. I never saw in my life players more professional than these players. Brilliant.'

Despite winning the Premier League title twice under Jose Mourinho, Chelsea were often criticised for a negative style of play.

That continued under Avram Grant last season. But in revealing his tactical plans, Scolari implied that may not be the case this season - while the 59-year-old is also likely to prove one of the more colourful Premier League managers.

'(On the tour) I started three games as 4-4-2 and at half-time I changed to 4-3-3 - which was normal for Chelsea before - and I looked for the reaction from the team,' he said.

'I will try in the next 10 days one new system for a few moments in each game. But normal for us now is 4-4-2 and 4-3-3. They play not bad, and I think this is the situation in the future.

'I am involved with the training and in the games I talk with the players and I talk with the bench.

'It's difficult for me only to look, see and not say something. They accept this, and I think they are receptive.'

Arshavin desperate for resolution to Spurs saga

Zenit St Petersburg forward Andrei Arshavin has revealed his frustration at the delay over his proposed move to Tottenham - and hopes his 'whining' will convince bosses to let him leave.

The UEFA Cup holders have rejected formal bids from Barcelona and Tottenham for Arshavin, whose inspirational performances led Russia to the Euro 2008 semi-finals.

Zenit have raised Arshavin's price tag to a reported 27 million euros, with the 27-year-old now fearing he has been priced out of the market.

'This price tag has frightened everybody off,' Arshavin told Sport Express. 'Only Tottenham have dared continue negotiations. But as it stands nothing has developed.

'My desire to leave is still as strong, but there is nothing more to do now other than hope for a miracle. I understand perfectly well that if I don't move on now, I probably never will.

'I'm just hoping that one fine morning the bosses at Gazprom will wake up in a good mood and say: 'We've had enough of Arshavin's whining - let's let him go'.'

With the prospect of his dream move to Barcelona over for now after the Catalans signed Alexander Hleb, Arshavin has turned his attention to the English Premier League and reiterated his desire to work with Spurs coach Juande Ramos.

'When Tottenham made their offer I was sceptical at first,' Arshavin continued. 'But after Ramos called me personally and told me that that they were selling Robbie Keane and that he wanted me in his side, the situation changed.

'When a coach shows an interest in you, especially such a renowned and strong coach, then that is already half of the success of any move. I also like the way Tottenham play, so I agreed in principle to join.

'A short while later a representative from Spurs arrived to discuss my personal terms and contract. The discussion didn't take long and we agreed on everything quickly. Only then did my asking price go up.

'Tottenham have a decent squad with (Luka) Modric, (Dimitar) Berbatov and other players, and the club is fully capable of fighting for a place in the Champions League.

'The main thing is to try my strengths in a league like the English Premier League and play against the likes of Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal on a regular basis rather than once every five years.'

Despite the breakdown in negotiations, Zenit coach Dick Advocaat believes the club have not heard the last from Tottenham and is confident the deal can be resurrected.

The Dutchman told Rossiskaya Gazeta: 'I am sure Tottenham will be back to make another, more suitable offer for Arshavin's transfer. There is no set time period or deadline for this. Zenit are doing everything in the correct way.

'If Tottenham can sell Robbie Keane to Liverpool for 25 million euros then in my opinion they should pay good money for Arshavin.'

Arshavin is currently preparing to fly to Kazan for Zenit's crucial Premier Liga match against league leaders Rubin tomorrow despite reports in the English press that the player is 'on strike'.

Arshavin, along with fellow Russian internationals Alexander Anyukov, Roman Shirokov and Konstantin Zyryanov, was rested in midweek for Zenit's cup defeat to Sibir Novosibirsk.

Liverpool trio stay in China for Olympics

Liverpool have made it clear that they have no intention of forcing their players to return from the Beijing Olympics.

Suggestions Javier Mascherano, Ryan Babel and Lucas Leiva would be told to return to England have been discounted by club sources.

The confusion had arisen during the day following a ruling by the Court of Arbitration for Sport upholding an appeal from Barcelona, Werder Bremen and Schalke that allows the clubs to recall their players from the Games.

The argument has centred around the fact the Olympics do not figure in the FIFA schedule.

But Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has taken the view that although he would ideally like to have all his players available for next week's Champions League qualifier and the first day of the Premier League season, he has no intention of denying his young stars the chance of a lifetime to win an Olympic medal.

Liverpool declined to comment officially today on the surprise ruling but Benitez has let it be known he does not want to upset his three players who are about to start the tournament later this week, particularly Mascherano, who wants to win a second gold medal with Argentina.

To recall them now would certainly leave Benitez with three very unhappy players, all of whom have made it clear they want to be in China.

A club source said: 'Liverpool want to make it clear that they have no intention of denying their players their wish of playing in the tournament.'

Friendlies: Young Gunners win Chapman Trophy

Huddersfield 1-2 Arsenal

Arsenal's youngsters took home the Herbert Chapman Trophy after two goals in the last 15 minutes gave them victory over Huddersfield at the Galpharm Stadium on Wednesday night.

The match was held to celebrate Huddersfield's centenary, with the cup named after the legendary manager of both clubs in the 1920s and 30s.

James Berrett gave the hosts the lead after 75 minutes but Sanchez Watt quickly equalised and Nacer Barazite grabbed the winner three minutes from time.

Justin Hoyte denied Luke Beckett with a last-ditch saving tackle when the striker was clean through on goal with quarter of an hour gone.

Theo Walcott - the only household name given a run-out by Arsene Wenger - was then denied by an impressive double stop by Terriers keeper Matt Glennon but the hosts gave as good as they got.

The second half saw more Gunners youngsters given a chance but it was Huddersfield who took the lead 15 minutes from time through teenager Berrett's deflected shot.

That was harsh on Arsenal, who had the better of things in the second half, but they only had to wait a matter of minutes to get their equaliser through Watt.

Penalties would have decided the match had it finished level but that outcome was avoided as Glennon failed to hold Barazite's shot.

Celtic 0-0 Man City

Celtic failed to get a shot on target in the first half of their insipid challenge match against Manchester City at Parkhead.

Manager Gordon Strachan gave surprise starts to out-of-favour duo Thomas Gravesen and Derek Riordan and fielded an unusual centre-back pairing of Scott Cuthbert and Darren O'Dea with youngster Paul McGowan appearing in midfield.

Neither Gravesen or Riordan did themselves any favours in a low-key encounter that the visitors edged, certainly in terms of possession.

Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink, as skipper in the absence of Stephen McManus, played the lone striker's role for the Scottish champions, who struggled to get going.

City did their best to entertain the sparse crowd and Valeri Bojinov's header from a Martin Petrov corner after 22 minutes, which flew over the bar, was almost the first effort on goal.

Moments later, Petrov, who was finding acres of space on the left-hand side, cut inside and drilled a right-footed shot past Artur Boruc's left-hand post.

Three minutes from the break, Boruc had to tip a Darius Vassell header onto the bar and over for a corner, from which Vassell headed over from close range after Micah Richards had helped on Petrov's set-piece.

Newcastle 2-2 PSV Eindhoven

Newcastle had to settle for a 2-2 draw with PSV Eindhoven at St James' Park tonight despite scoring twice in the first 10 minutes.

Steven Taylor put the hosts ahead after only three minutes, heading in Geremi's outswinging corner, and debutant Danny Guthrie made it two five minutes later from James Milner's through ball.

Newcastle were pegged back on the half-hour mark as Ibrahim Afellay fired in after Shay Given parried a shot from Nordin Amrabat.

Former Manchester City goalkeeper Andreas Isaksson prevented the Magpies from extending their lead and it was Amrabat who drew PSV level 20 minutes from time with a snapshot from 12 yards.

Evra and Chelsea groundsman deny FA charges

LONDON, Aug 6 (Reuters) - Manchester United defender Patrice Evra and Chelsea groundsman Sam Bethell on Wednesday denied charges issued by the English FA following a fracas at Stamford Bridge after Chelsea played United there in April.Both men have requested personal hearings which will be heard at a later date. They were charged with improper conduct over an altercation after the Premier League match on April 26 which Chelsea won 2-1 to rekindle their hopes of wresting the title from United. However, United bounced back from that defeat to lift the league trophy while Chelsea finished second. The Chelsea groundsman was also charged with using abusive language relating to nationality/race, which he denies, said a statement on the FA website. The incident occurred in a virtually deserted stadium about 15 minutes after the match ended when several United players were warming down and the groundstaff were treating the pitch. The FA spent three months investigating what happened and had said in an earlier statement: 'In bringing the charges, the FA used video evidence, CCTV footage and various witness statements from individuals present.' Chelsea had already denied any wrong-doing on Bethell's behalf, saying: 'We believe there is no foundation whatsoever to claims that the incident... involved comments based on nationality or race, which has led to an FA charge against one of our employees.'

Chelsea will be different under me - Scolari

Chelsea manager Luiz Felipe Scolari insists he will oversee a culture change at Stamford Bridge - both on and off the pitch.

Scolari has pledged to break with the past by promoting talented youngsters ahead of expensive imports, and he has also pledged to adopt a 'more modest' approach than former Blues boss Jose Mourinho. While the former Brazil and Portugal coach's immediate predecessor was Avram Grant, it is the irrepressible Mourinho against which his achievements will be judged and he has insisted he will go about the job in his own way. The Portuguese famously arrived in England proclaiming himself to be the 'special one'. Scolari said: 'I am not Jose Mourinho, so why compare me with him? Mourinho says 'I will win 10 championships' but I am more modest than that. 'I am from south Brazil and in my culture we never say 'I will win this or that'. I just say that I will try my best to win all the competitions. 'But Mourinho is Mourinho, he has a different culture to me.' Speaking about his recruitment plans he also signalled a significant shift from previous managers who have had access to owner Roman Abramovich's vast reserves of cash. 'Since I came to Chelsea we have only spent £8million on Deco. Jose Bosingwa came in before I arrived. 'Maybe in the past they have spent more money, but now they don't need to spend as much because they already have a solid base. Now they need a coach to develop young players and I think I am that coach. 'The new philosophy at Chelsea is to bring some young boys through the system.'

West Ham Utd terminate Ljungberg's contract

West Ham United claim they have come to an agreement 'mutually acceptable to both parties' after reports Swedish midfielder Fredrik Ljungberg was allowed to exit Upton Park with a £6million pay-off.

The 31-year-old has left the Hammers - after joining them only 12 months ago from Arsenal - and has thrashed out 'undisclosed terms' over the termination of his contract, which had one year and an option for another to run.

Ljungberg made 25 starts for the Hammers after his £3million move across London last summer but failed to make much impact following a largely golden nine-year spell at Highbury, where he helped the Gunners win two Premier League titles and three FA Cups.

Injuries slowed down his career under Arsene Wenger and he was on the treatment table after his opening match for West Ham last August.

He finished the season with a cracked rib, threatening his participation in the Euro 2008 finals, but was eventually passed fit for Sweden's campaign.

West Ham have denied the decision to let him go has anything to do with his seemingly unreliable fitness, insisting in a club statement 'he proved himself fit at Euro 2008'.

To West Ham fans it will look like the first instalment in clearing the decks after the massive spending on new players under former chairman Eggert Magnusson last season.

Ljungberg, who has asked his agent to see what offers could now come his way in England, Italy and Spain, explained: 'I gave my all at West Ham and enjoyed my time there but the decision is the best for the both of us.

'Now I will take my time to consider my football future.'

Hammers chief executive Scott Duxbury said: 'We respect Freddie Ljungberg's position and are pleased we could reach agreement and wish him all the best in the future.

'This deal is mutually acceptable to both parties.'

Although West Ham have since disputed claims manager Alan Curbishley is under pressure to drastically cut the squad and the wage bill this season, their only significant buy this summer has been Switzerland's left back Valon Behrami for £5million from Lazio - following the sale of striker Bobby Zamora and defender John Pantsil to Fulham for a combined £6.3million.

The Hammers have now been linked with a bid for Manchester United's French forward Louis Saha and boss Curbishley could find himself short up front after more injury problems for Craig Bellamy and Kieron Dyer.

The pair cost £13.5million between them a year ago but missed most of the season after Bellamy needed groin surgery and Dyer suffered a double fracture of his right leg.

Comeback man Dyer has since been sidelined again for an estimated two more months after a stress fracture while Bellamy damaged a hamstring against Ipswich in a friendly on Monday night.

Ronaldo: I'm staying

Cristiano Ronaldo has confirmed he will remain at Manchester United for another season.The Portugal winger has been linked with Real Madrid throughout the summer, with the Spanish club maintaining their interest even though United repeatedly stressed Ronaldo would not be sold.

At one point United even reported Real to FIFA such was their annoyance with officials at the Bernabeu.

Ronaldo has hinted at a wish to move but has never publicly confirmed his intentions.

However, in an interview to be published in Portugal on Thursday, while repeating his previously stated desire to play for Real, Ronaldo has also confirmed he will stay with United for another season at least.

'I will remain with Manchester United for at least another year,' Ronaldo told Portuguese newspaper Publico.

He goes on to praise Sir Alex Ferguson, who flew to Portugal just after Euro 2008 for talks with Ronaldo.

Ferguson returned in bullish mood, claiming he had a frank exchange with Ronaldo, who would be staying at United.

While his stance was viewed as posturing in a battle that would be waged until the transfer window finally closed on August 31, the feeling in Manchester has been growing that Ronaldo has agreed to remain.

That belief was reinforced by Real's surprise announcement yesterday that the arrival of Rafael van der Vaart from Hamburg would represent their only major purchase of the summer.

Now Ronaldo has given United fans the news they were all hoping for.

After scoring 42 goals last season as the Red Devils won the Premier League and Champions League double, Ronaldo is widely expected to be confirmed world footballer of the year in December.

His presence at Old Trafford is huge, even if he will be missing until the end of next month following ankle surgery.

Ferguson was always confident he would win the battle to keep Ronaldo but the news still represents a major coup for the Scot, who lost trusted assistant Carlos Queiroz, a close friend of the 23-year-old, to the Portugal national job last month.

Ronaldo said: 'Sir Alex Ferguson heard my arguments, I heard his and, in fact, it was settled that the best for both parties would be for me to stay.

'Therefore, I can confirm that, next season, I will play for Manchester United.

'Before rumours emerge saying that I will play against my will, I want to make this clear - whoever says or writes that is lying.

'I will play for Manchester with all my heart and soul. I will fight and honour that shirt with the same commitment and dedication as always.'

Ronaldo has also taken the blame for the transfer saga, which lasted for several months and damaged United's relationship with Real.

He continued: 'I was responsible for all this controversy.

'I was the one who publicly expressed my desire to go to Real Madrid. I ended up being, even involuntarily, responsible for the poor relationship between the two clubs.'

But he repeated that his dream of playing for Real remains and has not closed the door on a future move to the Spanish giants.

He explained: 'I knew Real Madrid were interested in signing me and that they had allegedly made a very high offer to Manchester United.

'My desire was, for some time, that Manchester had accepted my transfer to Madrid.

'Saying otherwise would be to trick people and my own consciousness.'

Injury concerns for United boss Ferguson

Manchester United 0-0 Juventus

Sir Alex Ferguson has confirmed he is 'a bit concerned' by Manchester United's on-going injury woes.

Ferguson effectively ruled both Wayne Rooney and Michael Carrick out of Sunday's Community Shield meeting with Portsmouth as both are still suffering from the virus they picked up in Nigeria 10 days ago.

In announcing that he would be picking from the same squad at Wembley that he had available against Juventus on Wednesday night, Ferguson knows he will be without 10 senior men against Harry Redknapp's side, none of which could be around for the start of their title defence against Newcastle on August 17.

'It is a bit of a concern,' said Ferguson.

'For Sunday's game, we will be picking from the ones we have available on Wednesday night.'

Given his mounting injury problems, especially up front, Carlos Tevez was the last person Ferguson would have wanted to see go down in a heap, although the Argentina forward was quickly to his feet following Nicola Legrottaglie's forceful challenge.

The Juventus defender did not even receive a ticking off from referee Mark Halsey and was just as fortunate to escape when he seemed to chop Lee Martin down in the penalty area.

England coach and former Juventus boss Fabio Capello was an interested onlooker as Tevez flashed a shot over, Darren Fletcher repeating the feat from a better position moments later, John O'Shea providing the astute lofted pass.

Capello might have been more interested to see Rio Ferdinand, one of the possibles for the England captain's role due to be confirmed ahead of the August 20 showdown with the Czech Republic, bundle over both Mohamed Sissoko and Alessandro del Piero in quick succession.

As a former Liverpool player, Sissoko was booed by the United faithful every time he touched the ball, with Legrottaglie getting the same treatment when he wiped out Tevez once more.

This time Halsey did lecture the Italian, with Ferguson no doubt wincing in the dugout until Tevez got back to his feet.

Alessandro del Piero wasted a clear chance for Juventus midway through the half, fatally pulling the ball back onto his favoured right foot, allowing Patrice Evra and John O'Shea to make the block after Vincenzo Iaquinta had provided the low cross.

Ferdinand was quick to recover his ground after some Del Piero trickery, then it was Sissoko's turn to leave his imprint on Tevez with another tackle from behind.

Skipper Ryan Giggs did not make the most of a free-kick opportunity in a decent position, then Fletcher got a firm header to Wes Brown's cross without being able to test Gianluigi Buffon.

Del Piero would surely have been gifted a penalty if he had gone down under Nemanja Vidic's challenge. Instead, the little maestro kept going to earn a corner that Mauro Camoranesi glanced wide at the near post.

Rooney to miss start of season with virus

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson could step up his attempts to sign a new striker after revealing Wayne Rooney is losing a battle to be fit for the start of the season.

Rooney picked up a virus during the Red Devils' pre-season tour of Africa and is struggling to shake it off in time to be considered for either the Community Shield clash against Portsmouth on August 10 or the start of the Barclays Premier League season the following week.

That leaves Ferguson seriously stretched in attack with Carlos Tevez and the seemingly out-of-favour Louis Saha the only established strikers fit and available.

Fraizer Campbell, a transfer target for Hull, has impressed in pre-season but may not be ready for a regular starting role, while Cristiano Ronaldo is out injured.

United boss Ferguson was, though, once again eager to put a full stop on the summer-long transfer saga involving the Portugal winger and suitors Real Madrid.

Ferguson told the club's official website: 'I doubt we'll get Rooney fit for the start of the season with the virus he's had.

'It's a virus he picked up in Nigeria and it's not a nice one, but quite a few have had it.

'It's such a bad virus and he's got to be training to be fit.'

Ferguson confirmed that Rooney was not suffering from malaria, against which the entire squad had been treated before the trip.

It is deeply frustrating for Rooney, who also saw the start to last season disrupted by injury when he suffered a broken metatarsal against Reading on the opening day of the 2007/08 campaign.

The news will come as a major blow to United, who will also begin the defence of their title without injured winger Ronaldo.

Ronaldo underwent ankle surgery earlier this summer and is not expected to return to action until October.

Ferguson continued: 'I don't know whether we will have a team ready. Nani is suspended, Anderson is in the Olympic Games.

'(Michael) Carrick's come in this morning and he may play a part of the game on Sunday.

'They've said it's a bad virus and Wayne's not back in yet, he's not been training. It's been a long time.'

Regarding the Ronaldo transfer, the Scot added: 'The matter is closed now. He (Ronaldo) is a Manchester United player - it's finished. He'll be playing here next season believe me. It's finished.'

Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon has also hinted their pursuit of Ronaldo may now be brought to an end after he revealed new arrival Rafael van der Vaart is their only likely purchase this summer.

'Rafael van der Vaart is the first and possibly the only signing of the summer for Real Madrid,' Calderon said.

'We believe that this squad is full of quality, of plenty of talent. It's a team which is a great family, very close.

'We said that the new arrivals would be few but of great quality. That seemed logical after two successful seasons in which we've brought in 19 young, promising players.

'This (the low number of signings) was a request of the board of directors.'

end

Sunderland boosted by striker Jones' prognosis

Sunderland have been boosted by the news that striker Kenwyne Jones should be back in training within two months. The Trinidad and Tobago forward sustained a knee injury on international duty against England in June and there were fears he could be out until around Christmas. But after undergoing an operation yesterday it now seems likely he will return to training by October. Manager Roy Keane told the club's official website: 'He had his operation yesterday. Fortunately we've avoided major surgery and expect him back in training in the next six to eight weeks. 'You never know the full story until you go into the knee, that's why we've been open in terms of the prognosis. 'But it's great news for everyone at the club - Kenwyne is a big player for us.'

Man City facing four games in eight days

Manchester City are facing the nightmare prospect of four games in eight days at the end of the month after being told they must play their Carling Cup second-round tie as scheduled. Eight clubs involved in Europe are automatically given a bye into the third round of the Carling Cup. However, as City became the ninth team to qualify after landing a UEFA Fair Play prize, they must enter at the second-round stage. In addition, because the Blues are involved in Europe, they cannot reschedule the Carling Cup game. And to make matters even worse, they have less space in which to play the match because their preceding Premier League game, against West Ham, has been pushed back to August 24 for screening by Sky TV. It means City will be in Carling Cup action 48 hours after that, then head to Denmark for the second leg of their UEFA Cup qualifying round duel with FC Midtjylland on August 28 before finishing their exhausting schedule 72 hours later at Sunderland. 'Ideally you would like a clear week,' Hughes told the Manchester Evening News. 'We are an English club trying to win a European trophy to show the Premier League in a good light but unfortunately we have become the victims of circumstance. 'We have been told we have to play in the second round and the dates are non-negotiable. 'The consequences of that are we will have to play four games in a week, which is a big ask for anyone.'

Villa's future to be decided within a week - Agent

The agent of Valencia star David Silva insists his client's future will be decided within the next week.Silva's agent, Julio Llorente, met with Valencia sporting vice president Fernando Gomez and president Vicente Soriano on Tuesday night to begin discussions over a new deal for the 22-year-old. The Spain international has attracted interest from a host of clubs, with Barcelona reportedly maintaining their keen interest in the Euro 2008 winner. Roma were also reportedly in Valencia last week to discuss a possible 25million euro bid for the playmaker, despite the fact that the club and Llorente have denied receiving any offers. However, despite all the rumoured interest Llorente insisted on Monday that it was the playmaker's wish to remain with Los Che. Now he insists the player's future will be decided within the week. 'The wish is to stay, and we're going to be getting together within the next eight days to decide,' Llorente told Spanish newspaper AS. 'Next week there will be a solution. We've given ourselves time to think things over well. 'We're not close, nor far from reaching an deal, nor somewhere in between.' Gomez was more positive in his assessment of how the initial negotiations had played out. He said: 'He (Silva) wants to stay. If we're talking about amounts of money it's because we're trying to reach an agreement and we're closer now than we were at the start of the meeting.' Reports suggest Valencia have offered Silva a deal worth an additional 200,000 euros on top of what he currently earns, plus a possible extra 300,000 euros in bonuses.