Tottenham have received a Christmas boost with the news that Dutch forward Rafael van der Vaart may face Norwich today after his hamstring injury proved less serious than first feared.
The 28-year-old Holland star went off at half-time in Thursday’s 1-1 draw against Chelsea but a scan showed up no tear, meaning he comes into consideration for the visit to Carrow Road.
“He looks okay,” Spurs manager Harry Redknapp told Sky Sports News. “He looks like he could be fit. We thought he had a hamstring. He went for a scan and it didn’t show a tear.”
Van der Vaart said: “I think I’m going to be fine.”
Schalke net Nigerian Obasi
Schalke 04 have signed Nigerian striker Chinedu Obasi on loan through to season’s end from Hoffenheim with an option of a further extension, the club said.
Obasi, 25, will accompany his new team-mates to their winter break camp in Qatar starting on January 4.
The forward had been with Hoffenheim, where he was under contract through to 2014, since 2007 having previously played in Norway. He has made 65 appearances, scoring 13 goals but recently lost his place.
Bent not moving says McLeish
Aston Villa manager Alex McLeish insists the club’s record signing Darren Bent will not be for sale during the January transfer window.
McLeish has stressed he has to adopt a sell-to-buy policy if he wants to bring in any new players, and offloading a player of Bent’s quality – he cost Villa £18 million 12 months ago – would be a way of generating funds.
But McLeish said such a move would “send out the wrong message”. The Scot said: “A striker of Darren’s ability would be difficult to replace.
“His goals last season were a vital part of Villa’s season in terms of keeping them up. I wouldn’t think anybody can afford Darren. I wouldn’t think so.”
Ba just wants to have fun
Newcastle striker Demba Ba will not set himself any targets other than having fun on the pitch.
The 26-year-old Senegal international has been a revelation since his arrival on Tyneside, putting all talk of a suspect knee to one side with 14 goals for the Magpies to take his tally since he joined from West Ham in January to 20.
“I don’t really expect to score 10 or 15 or five or 20 goals – when I first came I just wanted to play, to have fun on the pitch, to show the whole club that the trust they put in me I was going to give it back,” Ba said.
“That’s what has happened. I just have fun when I play.”
Barca, Arsenal only for Fabregas
Cesc Fabregas hopes to finish his career with Barcelona but if he were to leave the Spanish giants he’d only go back to Arsenal and nowhere else.
“Apart from Arsenal and Barcelona, I don’t see myself playing anywhere else,” the 24-year-old said.
“I will definitely be going back (to Arsenal) whenever I have time to watch games and to see the guys, and you never know in the future, why not?
“I hope I will stay here for a very long time, and maybe even retire here, but why not? In life, you can never say never, and if there is one place to go back to, it is Arsenal for sure.”
Totti a fan of Mourinho
Francesco Totti has revealed that he regrets not having had the chance to work with Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho.
The Roma captain has spent his entire career with his hometown club and won the 2006 World Cup with Italy.
“I would have liked to work with Mourinho,” Totti told Sky Sport Italia. “I know several players who were in his teams and they all spoke very highly of him.
“As far as I know, Mou is a great person as well as a great coach. The Portuguese coach gives his all for the team.”
Mourinho won the treble with Inter in 2009/2010, securing the Champions League, Serie A title and Italian Cup.
Enrique longs for Spain call-up
Liverpool left-back Jose Enrique insisted he deserves a place in Spain’s national squad ahead of the Euro 2012 finals, in comments published yesterday.
“I think I deserve a chance,” he was quoted as saying by Spanish sports daily Marca, while acknowledging that Valencia player Jordi Alba “is doing a very good job” in the left-back role for Spain.
“I think that just for the fact that I’ve managed to play for a team like Liverpool, they should be thinking of me (for the Spain squad),” added the Spaniard, who moved to Liverpool from Newcastle in August.