West Ham United striker Andy Carroll has re-injured his right foot after returning to training, the English Premier League club said yesterday.
“Although it is in the same part of his foot as his previous injury, it is a new injury and therefore there will be no prognosis until he has seen a specialist,” West Ham said.
The 24-year-old England forward, signed for £15 million from Liverpool on a permanent transfer in June after spending a year on-loan at the London club, has not played this season.
Sao Paulo fire coach Autuori
Paulo Autuori’s second stint at Sao Paulo came to an unhappy end this week when he was fired after 13 games, only two months after quitting his previous job at Vasco da Gama.
Autuori was immediately replaced by old favourite Muricy Ramalho, who returned for a third stint at the club where he won the Brazilian championship three times in a row between 2006 and 2008.
Autuori, who won the Libertadores Cup and World Club Cup with Sao Paulo in 2005, managed only two wins on his return and left with the six-times champions languishing in the championship relegation zone.
Arturo Vidal set for Juventus ‘reward’
Juventus are prepared to reward Chilean midfielder Arturo Vidal with a lucrative two-year contract extension.
The South American turned down an offer from Real Madrid this summer and is expected to put pen to paper on a new deal with the Italian champions in the next few weeks.
“Vidal arrived in Turin and the move was met with some scepticism,” Juventus club administrator Giuseppe Marotta said.
“But he has done very well and now he should be rewarded.
“There have been big clubs in Europe interested in him, but in the coming weeks, his contract will be prolonged and economically adequate.”
Galliani unfazed by Milan injuries
Vice-president Adriano Galliani is confident Milan can overcome key injuries likely to impact the Rossoneri early in the season.
The Italian giants have suffered a blow with defenders Mattia De Sciglio, Ignazio Abate and Matias Silvestre all sidelined through injuries.
“When we get injuries, we are unlucky because we tend to get them not only in the same line but in the same positions,” Galliani said.
“Abate and De Sciglio are the full-backs of the national team but we are able to overcome this setback. (Cristian) Zaccardo and even (Andrea) Poli can play in that position.”
Ferguson given Trafford honour
Alex Ferguson, the former Manchester United manager, is to receive the honorary freedom of Trafford borough.
Ferguson, who will be honoured at a meeting of councillors next month, is also being recognised by the local authority with a road near Old Trafford stadium having its name changed from Waters Reach to Sir Alex Ferguson Way.
“I am delighted to accept this honour from Trafford Council,” Ferguson said.
“When I arrived at Old Trafford in 1986 I had little idea of the journey that awaited me.
“Over quarter of a century later, to receive the Freedom of the Borough of Trafford and to have a part of Trafford carrying my name is truly humbling.”
Ramires transmits apology to Goetze
Brazil defender Dante has apologised to his Bayern Munich team-mate Mario Goetze for a foul on him by compatriot Ramires in the UEFA Super Cup.
Goetze sustained an ankle injury after being fouled by the Chelsea player in Prague last month and was ruled out for several weeks.
Dante has passed on the apologies of his Brazil team-mate via Germany’s Bild newspaper.
“Ramires is an incredibly kind person and he’s told me that he is very sorry about Mario’s injury,” Dante said.
“He definitely did not want to injure him and he has asked me to apologise to Mario on his behalf.”
EPL reveals record ticket sales
The English Premier League (EPL) has reported record adult and junior season ticket sales for 2012-13.
Total adult sales across the 20 top-flight clubs last term were 476,776, beating the previous best of 476,267 from the 2007-08 campaign.
The figure represents a seven per cent increase on 2004/05, the first season the Premier League started compiling season-ticket data.
However, league officials were even more delighted with the impressive junior season ticket sales. An overall sale of 58,546 represents a massive 26 per cent increase from 2004-05.