Football News

Chelsea could enter the new season without a recognised left-back after Wayne Bridge underwent surgery on a pelvis injury on Saturday.

Bridge, who was due to fly home from the club's United States tour yesterday to begin his rehabilitation, faces three months on the sidelines, according to a report in the Daily Mail.

With Ashley Cole yet to return to training following an ankle operation at the end of last season, Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho must reconsider his defensive options going into the new campaign.

Bridge has been told it will be two months before he can resume ball work, meaning Mourinho may ask new signing Tal Ben Haim to fill in at left-back when the season begins on August 11.

Leicester enter race for Fowler

Leicester have joined the race to sign former Liverpool striker Robbie Fowler after making contact with the 32-year-old's representatives.

"We'd be right for someone looking for the right challenge," chairman Milan Mandaric told the Leicester Mercury.

"Our rebuilding is not completed yet. We are still looking for more power up front and Fowler could give us that."

Australian club Sydney FC and Championship side Cardiff are also interested in signing Fowler.

Harewood in Villa talks

Aston Villa are in talks with Marlon Harewood over a possible transfer to Villa Park. Villa are hoping to beat Wigan to the striker's signature after both clubs agreed a fee with West Ham for Harewood.

Harewood has been allowed to leave Upton Park as he does not figure in Alan Curbishley's long-term plans.

Wigan held talks with Harewood over the weekend over a possible switch to the JJB Stadium, but Villa have made a last-ditch bid to lure him to the Midlands.

Torres set for 'Pool debut today

Fernando Torres is in line to make his Liverpool debut in a friendly against Werder Bremen today at the team's Swiss training camp.

Torres missed Saturday's 3-0 win at Crewe with a slight ankle injury, but Reds boss Rafa Benitez is ready to give the club's record signing his much anticipated bow against Bremen.

"We had to wait for Fernando because he started training after the other players," said Benitez. "We also needed to check his ankle but I think he'll be okay for our next game."

Kovac eager to join Inter

Spartak Moscow midfielder Radoslav Kovac has admitted that he is keen on joining Italian champions Inter.

The Czech player has been repeatedly linked with a move to the Nerazzurri in recent weeks, although the Russian club stated that the 27-year-old was going nowhere.

"I would have never thought that an important club like Inter would be interested in me - this is a dream," said Kovac.

"It is impossible to say no to Inter, I would even be willing to play as a striker to appear in Serie A. In any case, Inter must first find an agreement with Spartak, to whom I am contracted to until 2011."

Milan promise big-name signing

Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani has gone on record as saying that there will be a big-name striker arriving at the San Siro this summer.

"I would say that our attacking department is fine just as it is, with Alberto Gilardino, Kaka, Ronaldo and Filippo Inzaghi," Galliani said.

"It is true, however, that we are chasing another great champion,. Didier Drogba, Samuel Eto'o, Alexander Pato, Ronaldinho and Andriy Shevchenko are all on Milan's wish list."

Roma court Barcelona's Giuly

Serie A side Roma are expected to rival French side Monaco for the signature of Barcelona winger Ludovic Giuly.

Last season, Giuly struggled to hold a regular place at the Nou Camp and is believed to be keen on finding a new club.

Roma have reportedly tabled a £2 million offer for the diminutive midfielder but Barcelona want at least £3.4 million.

"What Barca are asking for is too much," Roma sporting director Daniele Prade said. "Our offer for Giuly is a reasonable one that has been adapted to the current trends of the market."

Real make official bid for Robben

Real Madrid have made official their interest in Arjen Robben after offering £13.5 million for the Chelsea winger, the player's agent said.

However, it is still uncertain whether Chelsea will let the Dutchman go after manager Jose Mourinho stated last weekend that he wanted Robben to stay.

"I know Real have made a bid to Chelsea for my son," Hans Robben told the Sun. "Who wouldn't want to play for Real Madrid? My son wants to play at clubs that can win the Champions League and Real Madrid are one of the them."

Sunderland sign Richardson

England midfielder Kieran Richardson left Manchester United to join newly promoted Premier League side Sunderland for an undisclosed fee yesterday.

Richardson has agreed a four-year contract with Sunderland in a move which reunites him with Roy Keane, his former team-mate at Old Trafford and now manager of the Wearside club.

Capped eight times by England, the 22-year-old Richardson told his new club's website (www.safc.com): "I know all about Roy Keane and I'm looking forward to playing for his team."