Tim Sherwood admits he does not expect Erik Lamela to play again this season.
Lamela, 22, was signed last year but the former Roma man has been restricted to just 17 appearances in all competitions as injuries and a lack of form have meant his debut campaign at White Hart Lane will not be one to be remembered.
Sherwood said: “He’s been unfortunate with injuries and it’s a shame because how are you meant to settle when you can’t go out there and perform because you’ve had this serious back injury? He’s probably not going to play this season.”
UK clubs ‘failing disabled fans’
The UK government is putting more pressure on football clubs to make their grounds user-friendly for disabled fans after a report discovered several were failing to cater for less able-bodied supporters.
Minister for disabled people, Mike Penning, said he would look to prosecute clubs that failed to meet criteria designed to welcome supporters.
A report revealed that just three Premier League stadiums – Swansea’s Liberty Stadium, St Mary’s in Southampton, and the Cardiff City Stadium – provide the required number of wheelchair spaces.
Monk keen to keep captain Williams
Head coach Garry Monk wants Swansea and Wales captain Ashley Williams to remain with the Premier League club “for as long as possible.”
Williams, 29, has just over a year left on his existing Swansea contract and Italian heavyweights Napoli – the Swans’ Europa League conquerors this season – are among those thought to be tracking him.
“What he does for the club, I would have him here for as long as possible,” Monk said.
“He has been linked with clubs for a few years. He is a good guy who wants the best for us.”
Volland not leaving
Hoffenheim forward Kevin Volland has pledged his future to the club amid speculation linking him with a move elsewhere this summer.
The 21-year-old has attracted interest with nine goals this season, but he insists he is focused on today’s clash with Augsburg and then staying with Hoffenheim next season.
“The atmosphere and the sporting side of things are perfect for me here,” he said.
“I’m going to be staying with Hoffenheim next season. This is the best place for me to improve, which is why I have signed a long-term contract here.”
Volland is enjoying playing for one of the league’s most free-scoring teams with 64 goals this season. Only Bayern have found the back of the net more frequently.
Fiorentina all out to stop striker Toni
Fiorentina defender Stefan Savic believes stopping former Viola striker Luca Toni will be his team’s priority in today’s match at Verona.
Toni followed up his double in a 3-1 victory over Genoa by scoring the only goal of the game in Verona’s 1-0 derby triumph at Chievo last time out.
The goal was Toni’s 16th of the campaign. Not since the 2006-07 season with Fiorentina had the 36-year-old Toni scored so many goals in Serie A.
“Toni is a fantastic player,” Savic said.
“He has played at a high level for a long time and he is having a great season. We know him well as he played with us last season and it will be crucial for us to stop him.”
Work to restart at Sao Paulo stadium
Brazil’s Labour Ministry has granted permission for work to resume on temporary seating at the stadium that will host the World Cup opening match and the ground should now be ready by mid-May, officials said.
Work on installing almost half of the 20,000 temporary seats at Sao Paulo’s Arena Corinthians was halted last month after a worker fell to his death, the third fatality at the site in four months.
The company responsible for installing the seats, Fast Engenheria, said it would immediately restart work on the temporary grandstands at the north end of the stadium.
The ground was supposed to be ready in December but the delivery date has been pushed back several times amid delays, accidents and other problems.
Parma chief wants Donadoni to stay
Parma general manager Pietro Leonardi is hoping coach Roberto Donadoni will remain at the club next season.
Donadoni, who joined Parma in 2010 after disappointing spells with Napoli and Cagliari, has been linked with a move to the English Premier League in recent months. However, the former Italy tactician is under contract with Parma for a further campaign.
Leonardi said: “Knowing our coach so well and the opportunities he has to express himself here, considering the organisation of the club and the calm atmosphere, I don’t think (Donadoni) could find any better place than Parma.
“Donadoni has given the team the right mentality.”