Football news

Steven Gerrard is to have surgery on his groin that is likely to rule him out of England's opening two World Cup qualifiers next month, manager Rafa Benitez said.

Gerrard played in Liverpool's 1-0 win over Standard Liege that put them in the Champions League group stage but is now expected to be out of action for 10 to 15 days.

Benitez said: "Steven has a groin problem and he will have an operation. He has been playing some games in pain. He has not been fit and we decided this week the best moment for the operation is after this game."

England play away to Andorra on Sept. 6 and visit Croatia four days later in Group Six qualifiers.

O'Neill cautious on Barry deal

Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill said he will not rush to persuade midfielder Gareth Barry to prolong his contract at the club if he opts to stay when the transfer window closes next Monday.

This week, Barry's agent said his player, a long-time Liverpool target, will not leave Villa before the current window ends.

O'Neill, relieved to hear the news, will now adopt a cautious approach when it comes to trying to persuade Barry to sign a new deal.

O'Neill said: "If Gareth is here this time next week, I will be relieved.

"As for the future now, let's go one step at a time... I wouldn't want to be rushing anyone into making decisions or asking anyone to do something that no-one is really comfortable with."

Villa extends Valencia contract

Spain striker David Villa has agreed an improved contract with Valencia which ties him to the club until 2014. The 26-year-old ended days of speculation over his future after an approach from Real Madrid.

"I have always worked with my agent to stay here and I was proud other clubs wanted to sign me," Villa said.

"Valencia have preferred to keep me rather than to cash in on the large amount of money offered.

"I have to thank them for everything they have done for me."

Valencia president Vicente Soriano said there had been an offer from Real Madrid for around 40 million euros, but said his aim was to build a competitive team and that they had rejected the offer.

Rivaldo departs for Uzbeki club

Former Brazil striker Rivaldo has left AEK Athens to join Uzbekistan side Bunyodkor, the Greek Super League club has announced.

Rivaldo, who stunned AEK with his decision to leave after just one season, said this week he had received an offer from Bunyodkor he could not turn down.

"It was a difficult decision to make but I have received an offer that is very good for my career," he told a Greek radio station.

Rivaldo went to Greece in the summer of 2004, spending three seasons at Olympiakos Piraeus before moving to AEK.

Milan bigger club Senderos says

Defender Philippe Senderos, 23, said his new club Milan were bigger than Arsenal after wrapping up a season-long loan deal.

"In London I learnt a lot, it has been a school of life and (coach Arsene) Wenger helped me but today I can easily say that I have reached an even higher level by coming to this club," he said.

The Switzerland international put pen to paper on a season-long deal on Wednesday, ending speculation about his future.

"I am really happy to play in a team like Milan," Senderos said.

"For me, this is a dream come true. Everything has happened really fast, in a week. Everything here is incredible. The people are very easy going and they have made me feel like I'm at home."

Robert joins Larissa

Former France winger Laurent Robert has signed a two-year contract with Larissa, the Greek Super League club announced.

The 33-year-old heads to Greece after a brief and largely unsuccessful four-month spell with MLS side Toronto who released him earlier this month.

Robert will meet up with his former Newcastle United team-mates Nikos Dabizas, the Larissa captain, and Peru's Nolberto Solano at the Greek club.

Club to decide by internet vote

English minor league club Ebbsfleet United has asked its 30,000 members to decide a player transfer deal by voting on the internet.

The club, on the Thames estuary to the east of London, is owned by fans who each pay an annual 35 pound membership to community website myfootballclub.co.uk after a 600,000-pound takeover deal.

Website founder Will Brooks told the BBC that Ebbsfleet had received an offer in excess of 140,000 pounds from an unnamed club for 19-year-old striker John Akinde and the fans would decide whether to accept it.

"It's quite historic," said Brooks, whose club play four divisions below the Premier League with a weekly playing budget of 10,000 pounds.

"The fans are legal owners of the club. Whereas transfers at other clubs are decided by a few board members this decision will be taken by 30,000 board members."