West Ham defenders Aaron Cresswell and Havard Nordtveit, and striker Jonathan Calleri have returned to full training but Turkish winger Gokhan Tore will be out for up to six weeks with a quadriceps injury, the club said.
Cresswell suffered a serious knee injury in pre-season but is set to return earlier than was initially expected, while Nordtveit and Calleri are also on the mend.
“Aaron Cresswell, Havard Nordtveit and Jonathan Calleri have all returned to full training,” said Stijn Vandenbroucke, West Ham’s head of Medical and Sports Science.
“Gokhan injured his quadriceps in training during the international break and is going to be out for 4-6 weeks.”
Gareth Bale to extend Real contract
Gareth Bale has agreed to sign a six-year contract extension with Real Madrid and the European champions are set to announce new deals for Cristiano Ronaldo, Pepe and Luka Modric.
Radio station Cadena Ser said Bale, who joined Real for a then world-record fee of €100 million in 2013, will sign a new contract until 2022 in the next two weeks.
Defender Pepe, whose existing deal was set to end next year, will extend his deal until 2018.
Ronaldo, Real’s all time top scorer, is poised to sign a four-year contract until 2020 while midfield playmaker Luka Modric is also about to be offered a new deal.
Mutu returns to Dinamo Bucharest
Former Romania striker Adrian Mutu has returned to Dinamo Bucharest to become general manager.
The administrative role is the first managerial post for the former Chelsea and Juventus forward, who was instrumental in helping Dinamo win a domestic double in 2000, netting 22 goals in 33 appearances.
“I’m pleased that Adrian Mutu is with us and I’m confident that his experience in international football will lead us to a new standard of performance, both domestically and in Europe,” Dinamo’s majority shareholder Ionut Negoita said.
Reuter saddened by Weinzierl’s exit
Augsburg’s director of sport Stefan Reuter says Markus Weinzierl’s departure in the summer still rankles ahead of his return with Schalke this weekend.
Weinzierl forced his way out of the Bavarians after four years as their coach, believing he had taken the club as far as he could.
“We experienced some gigantic things together, but the way he left was disappointing and saddening for us,” Reuter said.
“We have generally put it behind us now, but those beautiful moments stick in the memory.
“I will shake Markus Weinzierl’s hand all the same – that’s to be expected.”
Mancini sets scoring target for Balotelli
Roberto Mancini has challenged Nice striker Mario Balotelli to score 20 goals this season.
Mancini, who managed Balotelli at Inter and Manchester City, hopes to see his former player finally fulfil his potential.
He told L’Equipe: “He is a special player for me, for all he has done on the pitch – and elsewhere!
“I respect him a lot. I hope he understands that he has a chance to become a player of the highest level.
“He must score at least 20 this season but Mario must stop removing his jersey as soon as he scores one. For him, (the 20-goal) mark should be normal.”
McGhee rebuffs talk on Strachan future
Mark McGhee insists Scotland “still have a great chance of qualification” for the 2018 World Cup amid reports that boss Gordon Strachan is considering his future.
The Scots dropped to fourth in Group F after three games following the 3-0 defeat to Slovakia on Tuesday night.
Strachan is understood that he will have discussions with the Scottish FA over the next few days as to the way ahead.
Scotland assistant manager McGhee said: “I am not going to comment on Strachan’s future.
“That is for Gordon, not for me. Gordon has his own thoughts.
“My only thought I will give you is that there is still a great chance of qualification, obviously results have to improve but I think there is potential there for that to happen.”
Willian to miss Leicester match
Willian is expected to miss Chelsea’s Premier League clash with champions Leicester tomorrow on compassionate leave following the death of his mother.
The Brazil playmaker wrote a poem in his native Portuguese in tribute to his mother on Instagram yesterday after her death, reportedly of cancer.
Chelsea sent their condolences to the 28-year-old and his family.
Chelsea said: “All of us at Chelsea Football Club are sending our love and deepest condolences to Willian and his family after the passing of his mother. We are thinking of you Willian.”