Football news

Manchester United midfielder Michael Carrick will miss the start of the season after injuring his ankle in Wednesday’s friendly in Dublin.

The England international limped out of the 7-1 victory over the Airtricity League XI after picking up the knock during the first half and Alex Ferguson has confirmed the 29-year-old will be out for a fortnight.

“Michael hurt his ankle,” said Ferguson.

“It is nothing serious but he will be out for a couple of weeks.”

It means Carrick will miss the Community Shield encount­er with Chelsea. He will not be available for England’s midweek friendly against Hungary at Wembley.

Savage rues missing Toffees chance

Robbie Savage admits his biggest regret was not signing for Everton as he contemplates hanging up his boots at the end of the forthcoming season. The 35-year-old will quit the game if not offered a new contract by Derby next summer.

Savage said: “There are a few things I regret in my career. I regret the way it ended with Steve Bruce at Birmingham because to be playing for him was great.

“I regret getting Justin Edinburgh sent off in the Leicester-Tottenham League Cup final in 1999. But the biggest regret of my career was not signing for Everton.

“I had a great opportunity to do that and I wish I had pushed that a bit harder.”

Poulsen’s agent in talks with Reds

Juventus midfielder Christian Poulsen’s proposed move to Liverpool appears to be gathering pace after the player’s representative confirmed he had held talks with the club. Jorn Bonnesen has been on Merseyside to hold discussions about a move for the 30-year-old.

“I don’t know if we have an agreement,” he said.

“Things haven’t been decided as yet, but we will proceed when I arrive home. This is a big issue that cannot be resolved in two minutes. I was over there to negotiate Christian’s personal terms and to hear what Liverpool had to say.”

Poulsen is seen as a direct replacement for Javier Mascherano, who has told manager Roy Hodgson he would like to leave Anfield.

Hammers complete Winston Reid deal

West Ham completed the signing of New Zealand defender Winston Reid from Danish side FC Midtjylland. The 22-year-old, one of the stars of his country’s unbeaten World Cup campaign, has joined on a three-year contract for an undisclosed fee.

Reid, who passed a medical on Thursday, is the Hammers’ fifth summer signing, following in the footsteps of Thomas Hitzlsperger, Pablo Barrera, Frederic Piquionne and Tal Ben Haim.

Reid, who can play centre-half or right-back, put himself in the shop window this summer when he scored a dramatic late equaliser in New Zealand’s World Cup opener against Slovakia.

Giovinco joins Parma on loan

Parma have signed Sebastian Giovinco on an initial loan basis from Juventus.

The 23-year-old struggled for playing time at the Turin club last season and the deal with Parma gives them an option to buy half the rights to the player.

Giovinco said at his unveiling by the club: “I have arrived with the right spirit that a professional should always have.

“I am happy to be part of this team and this company, after the bad year that I spent at Juve. I want to redeem myself and to show what I am worth.”

O’Leary facing tough task at Al Ahli

Al Ahli coach David O’Leary admitted he has a lot of work to do in his new job.

“I’m happy to be with Al Ahli, who are a big team,” said the former Aston Villa boss.

“I wanted to thank the board of directors for their trust by leading the team for three seasons. There will be a lot of work to improve the team and we have a good group which will help to take care of the players and especially the young ones in the team.

“In order to win we must work as a team and there should be a lot of effort done everywhere.”

Asked about Fabio Cannavaro, O’Leary added: “Cannavaro is ready and he will be available for the first match in the local league. He is an experienced player and he has a lot of talent and he will be a good addition to the team.”

De Rossi happy to wait for contract

Daniele de Rossi is in no hurry to sign a new contract with Roma because the club have made it clear they will not sell him and he has no desire to leave.

The 27-year-old Italy midfielder’s current contract has two years to run and despite summer reports linking him with Real Madrid, he expects to remain at the Stadio Olimpico for the long haul.

De Rossi said: “I think the renewal of the contract is not a problem as my president has so far refused any offer to let me go. Renew it when it expires – that seems to be the logical thing to do.

“I went into the president’s study for an hour - her, me and nobody else. Nothing ever leaked out from it.