Chelsea striker Diego Costa has suffered a minor muscular injury in training but has not yet been ruled out of tomorrow’s league visit to Everton, sources at the Premier League club said.
The full extent of the Spain forward’s injury is not yet known, with some British media reports claiming he could face up to six weeks out.
Costa, who arrived at Stamford Bridge in a £32 million move from Atletico Madrid, scored in Chelsea’s league wins over Burnley and Leicester to start the season and any absence would be a big blow for Jose Mourinho‘s side.
Bayern set to sign Xabi Alonso
German champions Bayern Munich are close to signing former World and European champion Xabi Alonso from Champions League winners Real Madrid, they said yesterday.
The 32-year-old midfielder, who on Wednesday announced his retirement from international soccer after a stellar 11 years with Spain that saw him win one World Cup and two European championships, is seen as replacement for injured Javi Martinez.
Bayern finance chief Jan-Christian Dreesen and Matthias Sammer told reporters terms had “basically” been agreed and the player was expected in Germany yesterday to undergo a medical.
Eto’o retires from national team
Cameroon’s record goalscorer Samuel Eto’o has retired from international football, the four-time African player of the year announced.
The 33-year-old, who recently signed for Everton, scored 56 goals in 118 appearances after making his debut as a 15-year-old in 1997.
“I wish to inform you that I hereby put a definitive end to my international career,” Eto’o said in a statement on his Facebook page.
“On this occasion, I wish to thank all Africans in particular and all my fans around the world for their love and unconditional support. Find here the expression of my deep gratitude.”
FIFA sued in US over concussions
A group of parents sued several soccer organisations including FIFA, saying they have failed to do more about concussions among children.
The lawsuit, filed on Wednesday in a California federal court, says FIFA and other groups such as the American Youth Soccer Organisation have not done enough to reduce preventable injuries from repetitive ball heading.
The risks of head injuries in sports has been a recurring concern in the US. Last month the National Collegiate Athletic Association agreed to settle a head injury lawsuit by creating a $70m fund for concussion testing.
Some of the same lawyers involved in that case filed the soccer lawsuit.
Almunia retires with heart problem
Former Arsenal goalkeeper Manuel Almunia has retired from football after a heart condition was detected at a routine medical.
The Spaniard, who once considered playing for England after being overlooked by his home country, was close to joining Serie A side Cagliari earlier this month.
He was a free agent having played the past two years at Watford.
However, Cagliari abandoned the signing of the 37-year-old after medical examinations revealed a heart problem.
“I can confirm that Manuel Almunia failed a medical due to a heart condition,” Cagliari spokesman Alessandro Steri told Press Association Sport.
“Further tests done have revealed he is suffering from an apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM).”
Rosenberg hails ‘indescribable’ win
Malmo’s Champions League hero Markus Rosenberg was left scratching his head in disbelief after his two goals against Salzburg helped fire the Swedish club into the group stages for the first time.
“It’s indescribable,” Rosenberg told TV6.
“It’s so big that I’m almost taken by the moment. Maybe I’ll understand it when I sit on the couch later. It’s hard to understand, it’s too much almost.”
Malmo’s 4-2 aggregate playoff victory ended a 14-year period in the wilderness for Swedish sides in Europe’s elite club competition.
Hull hunting hitman Hernandez
Hull have turned to Palermo forward Abel Hernandez to plug the gap left by Shane Long’s move to Southampton.
The 24-year-old Uruguay international, who played for his country at the World Cup, has become a prime target for Tigers manager Steve Bruce, who has abandoned interest in Blackburn’s Jordan Rhodes.
Reports in Italy have suggested a deal worth around £9.5 million for Hernandez is almost complete, however Bruce is looking at it from a more cautious perspective.
Bruce said, according to the Daily Express: “It’s delicate, but if we can pull it off it will be a record for the club.”