Left-back appears to be a jinx at Liverpool after Martin Kelly became the fourth player used in the position to fall foul of injury.
With Paul Konchesky, Fabio Aurelio and regular stand-in Daniel Agger all injured, Kelly assumed the role in the scoreless Europa League draw in Utrecht.
The 20-year-old is technically a centre-half but has filled in at right-back and did not look particularly comfortable on the left in Holland.
However, he has now sustained a knee problem and is a doubt to recover in time to face Blackpool tomorrow.
If he does not, Roy Hodgson could turn to Danny Wilson, another centre-half, who became the fifth man to be fielded in the position in the League Cup defeat to Northampton.
Ireland-Wales for Nations Cup start
Ireland will meet Wales in the opening game of the Carling Nations Cup.
The four-team competition, which will be staged in Dublin, will start in February 2011 with Northern Ireland and Scotland also taking part.
Giovanni Trapattoni’s Ireland open proceedings against the Welsh on February 9 with Northern Ireland and Scotland clashing a day later.
Trapattoni said: “The Carling Nations Cup is a tournament that we would very much like to win, particularly playing at home in Dublin.
“The matches will provide us with a good opportunity to see our players in games with a real competitive edge at an important time in our bid to qualify for 2012.”
Giggs rules himself out of Wales job
Ryan Giggs ended speculation he might become the next Wales manager.
Giggs’s name has been in the frame ever since John Toshack quit last month. Former Manchester United star Mark Hughes took on the Wales job while still playing for Southampton but Giggs has no intention of following that example.
“I am playing for United and am fully focused on that,” said Giggs at the launch of his autobiography, Ryan Giggs: My Life, My Story.
“I just don’t think you can do the two, especially at a club like United.”
Ancelotti to return for Arsenal clash
Chelsea have confirmed that Carlo Ancelotti will be back on the touchline for their Premier League clash against Arsenal tomorrow following the death of his father.
The club’s assistant boss Ray Wilkins admitted the players were down following the death of Ancelotti’s father.
Ancelotti’s dad, Giuseppe, 87, died in midweek after a long illness with his son at his side.
“It is obviously extremely unpleasant,” said Wilkins.
“The players were down and they were saddened by the news. But Carlo will join us in the hotel and will be on the touchline on Sunday (tomorrow).”
Montolivo not rushing to sign
Riccardo Montolivo (picture) is in no hurry to sign a new contract.
Fiorentina have offered their captain a new five-year deal but he wants more time to decide on his future.
“I’m tranquil about the whole situation,” Montolivo said.
“I will evaluate the situation and take a decision calmly. I have blocked everything at the minute because this is a decision that will affect my career and my life. There is no need to rush it. For sure, this has nothing to do with money.”
Reports in the media have linked Montolivo with a move elsewhere as Inter and Bayern Munich have stepped up their bids to sign the talented midfielder.
Man. City reveal record losses
Manchester City have announced record losses of £121.3 million. The figure shows the sheer scale of the vast investment into City by owner Sheikh Mansour and the Abu Dhabi United Group.
Wage costs of £133.3m exceeded turnover (£125m), which in any normal business would be unsustainable.
At the side of the huge losses, there are some more positive eye-catching figures.
Turnover has increased by 40%, with growth in every area. There has been a considerable hike in commercial activity, though, which has more than doubled to £52.8m.
This reflects the growing interest in City, which will increase even further should the club gain entry into the lucrative Champions League.
Spurs look east for Olympic move
Tottenham confirmed yesterday that they have registered an interest in occupying the Olympic Stadium in east London after the 2012 Games.
Spurs, who this week had a planning application for a new stadium approved by Haringey Council, have also joined fellow Premier League club West Ham in expressing an interest in the Olympic Stadium in Stratford.
Spurs chairman Daniel Levy said: “I can confirm we have registered an interest in the Olympic Stadium site within the deadline of September 30, in conjunction with AEG (Europe), the world’s largest entertainment and facilities management company.”
Spurs’ preferred option appears to be to build a new stadium closer to White Hart Lane.