Roma defender Leandro Castran will be back on the field in three months’ time following brain surgery earlier this month to remove a blood clot that was affecting his balance.
Giulio Maira, the professor who conducted the surgery, told reporters the Brazilian was doing well and living a normal life.
“His rehab will last for another month to six weeks,” Maira told reporters.
“He can move with co-ordination and balance. He has no dizziness or other issues.
“He can resume some sport, but very slowly. If all goes well, he can start heading the ball in three months’ time.”
Weah elected
Former world player of the year George Weah has won a seat in Liberia’s Senate to represent the capital, defeating the son of the president and boosting his political fortunes ahead of a presidential election in 2017.
Weah won the Montserrado County seat that includes the capital Monrovia with 78 per cent of the vote, defeating Robert Sirleaf, the son of President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Liberia’s National Elections Commission said yesterday.
Weah won FIFA’s World Player of the Year in 1995.
John Terry deal a formality – Mourinho
Jose Mourinho says it is inevitable John Terry will be granted a contract extension at Chelsea. The 34-year-old is out of contract in June, but remains a mainstay of Mourinho’s Premier League leaders.
“It’s a formality,” the Portuguese said.
“There are no doubts that he is going to get another contract. I know that, he knows that.
“We in the club, we know that. Without us confirming anything, you have to feel that.
“He’s a very important player in the team so the next contract sooner or later will come.”
Chelsea have a policy of offering those over 30 only one-year deals, irrespective of their status.
Zamora: Give Austin a new contract
QPR need to tie forward Charlie Austin down to a new deal, according to team-mate Bobby Zamora. Five years on from playing non-league football, the 25-year-old is among the leading scorers in the Premier League and talk of England recognition grows by the week.
However, that form brings with it speculation, especially given Austin only has 18 months remaining on his current deal at Loftus Road.
“Hopefully, Charlie can continue scoring and as a club we need to tie him down and get him a new deal,” strike partner Zamora said.
“Without a shadow of a doubt other clubs will be looking at him. If they’re not, then they’re crazy because he can get you that goal.”
Sullivan seeks new Hammers investor
West Ham co-owner David Sullivan has revealed the club have offered a 20 per cent stake for sale in a bid to help clear their debts.
Sullivan told reporters he and fellow owner David Gold are seeking to raise £80m to help reduce debts which currently stand at £110m, of which £55m is owed to Gold and Sullivan.
Sullivan believes the upcoming move to the Olympic Stadium means the club is worth £400m – almost four times its value when he and Gold bought the Hammers in January 2010.
Sullivan said: “We’re still £110m in debt. We love someone to come in and buy 20 per cent and the money would not go to us, it would go to the club.
“But we won’t be giving it away and we’d want market value for it.”
Balotelli going nowhere – Rodgers
There will be no route back to Italy for Mario Balotelli this January, according to Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers.
Reports in the striker’s homeland have suggested that former club Inter, where Balotelli rose to prominence, may be looking at a loan move for him in the new year in light of his poor start to life at Anfield.
But Rodgers insists he has no plans to further weaken a forward line which is already lacking the injured Daniel Sturridge.
Rodgers said: “It’s not something that I have even thought about to be honest. We’ve had a lot of games this season. At this moment the key for me is trying to keep the squad together.”
Toure on target for African honour
Manchester City’s Yaya Toure will be favourite to collect a record fourth successive African Footballer of the Year crown after he was named in the list of final three nominees by the Confederation of African Football.
The Ivory Coast midfielder faces competition from Borussia Dortmund and Gabon forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, as well as Nigeria goalkeeper Vincent En-yeama, who plays for Lille.
Toure has collected the award for the last three years, matching the feat achieved by Cameroon’s Samuel Eto’o and Ghana’s Abedi Pele.
Victory again would mean he joins Eto’o on four titles overall but would be the first player to reach that milestone in consecutive seasons.