Swansea City defender Neil Taylor has been ruled out for the rest of the season after suffering a broken ankle.
Taylor was rushed to hospital for surgery after he was injured in the first half of Saturday’s 2-2 draw against Sunderland at the Liberty Stadium. The 23-year-old had broken and dislocated his ankle in three places.
“The surgeons worked hard on Neil’s injury and did a very good job,” Swansea’s head physio Kate Rees said.
“He is comfortable and the surgeons are happy with the operation. While he should make a full recovery, the extent of the injury means Neil is likely to miss the rest of the season.”
Hazard loving life at Chelsea
Eden Hazard is loving life at Chelsea but admits it will be tough to maintain his stunning start to the Premier League.
The 21-year-old has been Chelsea’s outstanding performer in their 100% start to the domestic league and although Roberto di Matteo’s men were brought up short by Atletico Madrid in the Super Cup, Hazard insists they can return to winning ways.
Hazard said: “It’s no surprise for me really that I’ve settled in so well because when you play with better players, it’s easier to adapt.
“It won’t be easy to keep up that level in every game, I know that, but I always knew what I was capable of.”
Drogba reports “nonsense”
Didier Drogba’s management company rubbished reports the striker had been released by Shanghai Shenhua.
A spokeswoman for the Sports PR Company said claims the former Chelsea striker’s career in China were over after two months were “nonsense”.
She added that Champions League hero Drogba, who paid a visit to his old club’s training ground last week, would return to Shanghai after the international break, which sees his Ivory Coast side take on Senegal.
Del Piero no closer to Sydney
Alessandro Del Piero’s proposed move to Sydney FC remains in the balance.
Sydney FC announced last week that Del Piero had “agreed to finalise details on a contract with the Sky Blues”, as chief executive Tony Pignata and Australian player agent Lou Sticca flew out to Italy to secure the 37-year-old’s signature. But Del Piero’s manager, his brother Stefano, believes it is premature to consider the deal as complete.
“Sure, things were misinterpreted,” Stefano Del Piero said.
“We still have to properly analyse the offer. We’re talking about a two-year deal worth $2 million a year. It’s a serious offer but that doesn’t mean everything’s decided.”
Warnock to keep Diouf at Leeds
Leeds manager Neil Warnock backed El-Hadji Diouf to fire his side into the Championship promotion race after the Senegal forward’s inspired display in a 3-3 draw against Blackburn Rovers.
Diouf joined Leeds on a non-contract basis last season, but the former Liverpool and Blackburn Rovers player has impressed Warnock enough to earn a deal until January.
The 31-year-old sparked a Leeds revival on Saturday with his side’s first goal after Blackburn had surged into an early 2-0 lead.
“I thought Diouf’s contribution in the second half was good. I am so proud of my team for battling back from two goals down,” Warnock said.
Mou’s the daddy
Michael Essien is looking forward to renewing his relationship with “daddy” Jose Mourinho at Real Madrid.
The 29-year-old Essien’s move to the Bernabeu sees him rejoin former Blues boss Mourinho, who brought him to England in 2005, and the Ghana international is delighted to be linking back up with someone he considers a father figure.
“I call him that (daddy) be-cause I see him as like a father. He took me to Chelsea and we have a very good relationship,” said Essien.
“I was in my hotel room and I had a call from my ‘daddy’ and he said he would love to have me here. It’s been all very quick but I’m very happy.”
Babbel mystified by team slump
Coach Markus Babbel has admitted he was left mystified after nine-man Hoffenheim were hammered 4-0 at home by Eintracht Frankfurt to leave them bottom of the Bundesliga.
This was Hoffenheim’s third defeat in three competitive matches since suffering a shock 4-0 defeat at minnows Berliner AK 07 in the German Cup a fortnight ago.
“I have no logical explanation,” admitted ex-Liverpool defender Babbel.
“This performance is a mystery to me. This is definitely a bad start. This is bitter for the guys, it has hurt us.”