Roma defender Nicolas Burdisso could prolong his stay on the sidelines to cure a serious knee injury after doctors deemed his recovery process was not going according to plan.
Burdisso, 30, ruptured the ligaments in his knee in November during a match between Argen-tina and Colombia.
At first, he was ruled out for at least six months.
Yet, three months on from his first surgery, the Argentine hard-man is reportedly still having trouble to move the affected leg which could lead him to a second surgical procedure.
Redknapp missed
Tottenham midfielder Scott Parker admitted his side missed absent manager Harry Redknapp during their goalless draw at Liverpool on Monday night.
Redknapp failed to make the trip north after spending the day in court where he has been for the last few days contesting charges of cheating the public revenue.
“The boss gives that extra bit of energy. We’ve missed him,” Parker said.
“We’ll be absolutely delighted when he comes back. It was a tough night. We’ve come and got a point, kept a clean sheet and that’s the most important thing.”
De Gea urged to prove his worth
Edwin van der Sar has told David de Gea he has to deal with the pressure of being the Man. United keeper. De Gea has struggled to fill the boots of Van der Sar since the Dutchman retired at the end of last season.
The £18 million man was recalled for Sunday’s Premier League game at Chelsea, producing a Jekyll-and-Hyde display that saw him flap at more than one cross but also make a stunning stoppage-time save.
Van der Sar said: “It’s always difficult if you’re coming into a new club and new league, especially the English one. He has to deal with that. United paid a lot of money for him and he has to come through that.”
Milan to appeal
Milan will appeal against the three-match ban handed by the Lega Serie A to Zlatan Ibra-himovic, the club have con-firmed.
The Swede was punished for violent conduct after being sent off during Sunday’s goalless draw with Napoli after slapping Salvatore Aronica in an off-the-ball incident.
“AC Milan announces it will appeal against the decision made by the sporting judge to hand Zlatan Ibrahimovic a three-match ban,” read a statement on www.acmilan.com.
Ibrahimovic, Milan’s leading scorer, will miss the Serie A games at Udinese and Cesena as well as the home clash against table-toppers Juventus on Feb-ruary 25.
Jovetic ready for Premier League
Stevan Jovetic has revealed he would relish the challenge of trying to prove himself in the English Premier League.
The Fiorentina striker, 22, has been linked with a number of English clubs after earning rave reviews for his performances in Serie A.
It would take a big effort to sign Jovetic as he is under contract with Fiorentina until 2016 and is likely to cost in the region £30 million.
Jovetic said: “I am happy in Italy but I’m always looking out to improve myself.
“I have been looking out for a chance to play in the Premier League and I am prepared for that challenge.”
Bayern eyeing Inter’s Chivu
Inter left-back Cristian Chivu could be heading to Bayern Munich in summer as the Bavarians are looking to replace Daniel van Buyten at the end of the season.
Chivu, 31, could be available on a free transfer and that makes him an attractive pro-position to some of Europe’s top clubs including Bundesliga giants Bayern.
The Romania international has yet to open contract talks at Inter. He joined the Nerazzurri in 2007 after spells at Roma and Ajax.
The player’s contract expires at the end of the season and the San Siro club have yet to open extension talks.
Bobby Charlton has surgery
England football great Sir Bobby Charlton underwent “minor surgery” on Monday after being taken ill before the Laureus World Sports Awards in London, organisers said.
Charlton, a member of the England side that won the 1966 World Cup, had been due to receive a lifetime achievement award from the Laureus Foundation, an organisation that promotes youth and community sport programmes around the world.
However, the 74-year-old started to feel unwell on Sunday and then needed an operation, said to be for the removal of a gallstone.
Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson received the award on Charlton’s behalf.