Football news

Milan’s build-up for the crunch match against Inter next weekend suffered a blow yesterday when it was learnt that Mark van Bommel sustained an injury and could be out of the derby.

Van Bommel left the Holland camp and skipped the match against Hungary on Friday.

He is ruled out of the national team’s upcoming friendly against the same team.

Reports suggest the injury is a recurrence of Van Bommel’s right thigh injury that has caused problems throughout the season.

Milan are already without star striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic for the derby. He will be serving a ban.

Parker, Wilshere targeted by laser

England players Jack Wilshere and Scott Parker were targeted by a laser pointer after steering England to a 2-0 win over Wales on Saturday.

Television images showed Wilshere and Parker being lit up by a green laser as they left the field towards the end of England’s win at the Millennium Stadium, potentially giving Welsh authorities a disciplinary headache.

Three years ago, UEFA fined French club Lyon after a laser pen was directed at ex-Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo during a Champions League game.

Incidents of players being targeted with laser pointers have increased over the years, most recently during Chelsea’s league match with Manchester City earlier this month.

Doyle injury ‘very serious’ says Trap

Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni revealed that striker Kevin Doyle could miss the remainder of the season after suffering a “very serious” knee injury in the 2-1 Euro 2012 qualifying win against Macedonia.

The Wolves forward limped off early on as Ireland moved level with Russia and Slovakia at the top of Group B.

Trapattoni said: “It’s his medial ligament. I think he may be out for one or two months, so it’s a very serious injury. But I hope by May or June, he can come back.”

Lahm’s thumbs-up to coach Heynckes

Bayern Munich captain Philipp Lahm has welcomed the decision to part with Louis van Gaal and appoint Jupp Heynckes as his club’s new coach from next season.

Van Gaal has paid the price for a disappointing season by having his contract terminated one year earlier than planned and Heynckes last week agreed to take over from next summer.

Lahm says his club have got their decision-making spot on.

“That is the way things are when you are at FC Bayern – if you are not successful, then you have to face the consequences and I think that is absolutely right,” he said.

“FC Bayern have the aim to be the number one all the time and always win titles.”

Rooney makes costly mistake

Fabio Capello has revealed Wayne Rooney was stunned to discover he was suspended for England’s next Euro 2012 qualifier with Switzerland.

Rooney was booked for a foul on Joe Ledley just before half-time in England’s 2-0 win over Wales at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

It was a costly caution because, as Rooney also collected a yellow card against Montenegro in October, the 25-year-old must now sit out an important game at Wembley Stadium on June 4.

“Rooney didn’t realise,” Capello said.

“I just told him it was not a good booking. He said ‘Why’?... he didn’t remember that he got booked against Montenegro.”

Adriano heading back to Brazil

Adriano terminated his contract by mutual consent with Roma on Saturday and said he was heading back to Brazil where he will be playing for Corinthians.

The troubled striker broke relations with the Serie A club after repeatedly delaying his return from vacation. It’s reported he has agreed a free transfer to join Corinthians.

“I accepted this offer to score many goals and not to create problems,” he said.

“It’ll still take me another six weeks to fully recover from my shoulder injury. Around three or four clubs had been after me.

“I left Roma without provoking any trouble, let it be clear. Quite simply I realised there was no reason for me to stay.”

Cahill to miss Germany match

Everton midfielder Tim Cahill will miss Australia’s international with Germany in Moenchengladbach tomorrow with a foot injury, coach Holger Osieck said.

Cahill is recovering from the injury and after consultation with the player and his Everton club, Osieck said he would not be required for the Australian training camp.

Osieck has selected an additional three players to join the national squad following last week’s national teams training camp in Duisburg.

This will be Australia’s first meeting with Germany since their 4-0 loss at last year’s FIFA World Cup in Durban, South Africa.