Wolves midfielder Karl Henry has been ruled out of action for three to four weeks with a hamstring injury. Former captain Henry suffered the injury during Sunday’s 5-0 defeat by Fulham at Craven Cottage and a scan confirmed the damage.
Wolves caretaker boss Terry Connor has recalled David Davis from a loan spell at Chesterfield to cover in midfield.
“Karl has had the scan which has shown up a hamstring strain, and he is expected to be out for four weeks,” said Connor.
Henry had only just returned after having to serve a three-match suspension.
Petric to go
Croatian international striker Mladen Petric is to leave Bundesliga strugglers Hamburg at the end of the season after they decided not to extend his contract this week.
The 31-year-old – who has scored 60 goals for Hamburg since joining in 2008 – wanted to stay but the club decided they wanted to focus more on blooding younger players and restructuring the wage bill.
Petric has had a wretched time this season with injuries and played just six times.
“I would have liked to have signed a long-term contract but it is not possible at Hamburg.
“At least, the decision has been taken and I can look to the future,” he said.
FIGC against racism in football
Giancarlo Abete, the head of the Italian football league (FIGC), condemned the racist abuse Roma defender Juan had to endure during the derby against Lazio on Sunday.
Lazio won an eventful match 2-1 but the afternoon was marred by continued racist chants in the second half aimed at Juan.
Lazio were fined €20,000 for failing to control their fans.
“We are at the forefront in the fight against racism,” Abete said.
“In May, we shall host a European conference with anti-racism organisation FARE. Racist behaviour is unacceptable.”
Mondonico out, Tesser back in
Emiliano Mondonico became the 13th Serie A coaching casualty this season yesterday, as Novara reinstated Attilio Tesser as the club’s manager.
Tesser made way for Mondonico on January 30 with the club rooted to the bottom of the table.
But despite beating Inter at the San Siro, Mondonico paid for a run of five points from six games in charge which, although lifting Novara off the bottom, has left them 12 points from safety with the same number of matches remaining.
Many felt the original sacking of Tesser was harsh given that he had guided the unfashionable club to successive promotions and a first Serie A appearance in 55 years.
Rodgers will not join Chelsea
Swansea manager Brendan Rodgers has ruled himself out of the running to be the new Chelsea boss as he is looking to build his career and “not destroy it”.
The 39-year-old is seen as one of the brightest managerial talents in Britain, having led the Swans to an impressive start to life in the Premier League.
Rodgers worked under Jose Mourinho when at Chelsea and is as low as 20/1 to take over at Stamford Bridge.
Rodgers said: “The transition that is needed at Chelsea is very much evident, and it’s a job that requires sensitivity about where the club is at.
“For me the focus is Swansea.
“I came here to do a job and build my career not destroy it.”
Herrera talks up Bilbao chances
Athletic Bilbao midfielder Ander Herrera insists his side will go out looking to beat Manchester United in tomorrow’s Europa League clash at Old Trafford.
Manchester United are among the favourites to win the Europa League this season but Herrera is determined not to give the Red Devils a comfortable passage through to the quarter-finals.
He said: “We’ve shown that Bilbao don’t know anything else but to go out to win, and then after, there are many different circumstances and many things can happen during a game.
“It’s a dream that we are going to live a unique situation that maybe throughout your career you only experience once but, clearly, we are going to win, not just turn up.”
Juventus ready to pounce on Nesta
Reports in Italy said yesterday that Juventus will make Alessandro Nesta, 35, an offer if the Milan veteran decides not to extend his stay with the Rosso-neri in summer.
TuttoSport claimed Juve are planning a swoop that will be similar to the one of last year when they lured midfielder Andrea Pirlo from San Siro.
Nesta signed a new one-year contract at the end of the previous campaign and Milan have already made it clear that they won’t discuss contract extensions until end of May.
Nesta has only figured in 11 Serie A games and five in Champions League this season.