Costa Rica defender Bryan Oviedo could still feature at the World Cup despite suffering a broken leg six weeks ago, Everton manager Roberto Martinez said.
Oviedo fractured his tibia and fibula in an FA Cup tie against Stevenage in January, apparently ruling him out of the tournament in Brazil but Martinez said his recovery was ahead of schedule.
“Bryan is well ahead in his recovery time,” Martinez said.
“We have sent him back to Costa Rica because we are working with the national team who want to assess him.
“He saw an independent specialist in London before he went away and the specialist feels he can make the World Cup.”
Van Persie wants to stay with United
Robin van Persie is happy at Manchester United and would like to sign a new contract with the triple European champions.
Van Persie has struggled for goals this term while British media have reported of his discontent at Old Trafford.
“What I need to address are the situations when people are taking it upon themselves to think for me, make assumptions or interpret things as if they are me,” Van Persie said.
“Last time I checked my head was still attached to my body so I’m the only one who knows exactly what I’m feeling. The truth is I’m very happy here.
“I signed for four years and I’d be delighted to stay even longer.”
Benitez keen on Napoli fan power
Napoli coach Rafael Benitez has urged the Stadio San Paolo faithful to cheer his side through to the Europa League quarter-finals at Porto’s expense.
Jackson Martinez’s second-half strike on Thursday night gave Porto the upperhand in the last-16 match-up, but Benitez is confident the Portuguese will struggle to concentrate in what promises to be a hostile San Paolo.
“We will go all out for qualification at the San Paolo, the encouragement of our fans will make all the difference,” he said.
“One-nil is certainly not a positive result but having seen how we played, I believe we have the potential to score more than one goal at the San Paolo.”
Denmark won’t punish Bendtner
Denmark coach Morten Olsen will not take any action against Nicklas Bendtner following allegations the striker abused a taxi driver on a drunken night out in Copenhagen on Tuesday.
Bendtner was not in the squad for Arsenal’s 1-1 draw at Bayern Munich on Tuesday and Danish media reported the alleged altercation with the taxi driver.
“I have spoken to Nicklas and found out what’s going on and based on that we have no intention of reprisals from our side,” coach Morten Olsen said.
Arsenal’s Ozil out for four weeks
Arsenal’s record signing Mesut Ozil will be out for between four to six weeks with a hamstring injury, manager Arsene Wenger said yesterday.
Germany international Ozil was substituted at half-time against Bayern Munich in the Champions League aggregate defeat on Tuesday.
“When the minimum is three, the maximum is six so let’s say four weeks out,” Wenger told reporters at a news conference of his playmaker’s prognosis.
“Ozil had a very good game against Everton but he was handicapped early on in the Bayern game.”
Missed chances cost us – Conte
Juventus coach Antonio Conte revealed there was an inevitable sense of disappointment in his dressing room following Thursday’s Europa League draw with Italian rivals Fiorentina.
Four days after Juve beat La Viola 1-0 in Serie A, the northern clubs reconvened at the Juventus Stadium to play out a 1-1 draw which saw second-half substitute Mario Gomez cancel out Arturo Vidal’s early opener.
Conte said: “We’re disappointed with the result, but not the performance. I can’t take anything away from the lads, who expressed themselves better than they did on Sunday.
“We created plenty, hit the bar and had a big opportunity with Pogba. We were also a bit unlucky because we could have scored more than we did.”
Mel aware of need to succeed
West Brom head coach Pepe Mel does not know what will happen to him if his side fail to emerge from today’s Premier League match at Swansea with a victory.
Albion, clear of the relegation zone on goal difference alone in 17th place, have not won any of the seven fixtures they have played under Mel since his appointment in January.
Asked about what might happen if the Baggies do not take maximum points today, Mel said: “I understand why you have to ask the question.
“But I’m sure you’ll understand that I don’t actually know.”
He added: “My focus is on the players and working with them in order to improve them, because this is the only way I can be sure I’m going to be here for a long time.”