Clarke Carlisle is in a “stable and relatively comfortable” condition, but faces a “long road to full recovery”, his family have said.
The 35-year-old former Burnley and QPR defender was seriously injured in a collision with a lorry on December 22. The incident happened on the A64, near York, and Carlisle is recovering in hospital in Leeds.
It emerged earlier this week that Carlisle was facing court action over an alleged drink driving offence after being charged just days before suffering his injury.
He was charged with failing to provide a sample on December 20 and is scheduled to appear in court on January 20.
Podolski set to go
Lukas Podolski could already have played his last game for Arsenal after Arsene Wenger admitted Inter have tabled a “more serious offer” for the Germany striker.
Podolski missed Arsenal’s 2-0 defeat at Southampton on New Year’s Day with a “tight groin”, with manager Wenger confirming Inter are pushing hard to land the 29-year-old.
Wenger conceded Podolski would have “had a big chance to start” at Southampton had he been fit, but will now miss tomorrow’s FA Cup clash with Hull.
“Podolski was injured, he has a tight groin,” said Wenger.
“He has not practised for a few days now. So I don’t think he will be available for Sunday.”
Pellegrini sympathy for NY City fans
Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini claimed he could understand the frustration of New York City supporters after his victory in the fight for Frank Lampard’s services.
City are set to keep the former England midfielder until the end of the season after deferring his move to their sister club.
Lampard had been due to move to the US on January 1 but Man. City announced on New Year’s Eve that his Etihad Stadium stint would be extended.
Pellegrini said: “Maybe all the New York fans, and I understand perfectly, they want to see Frank playing.
“I hope that he will be there next year but I think that in this moment the best decision for him is to stay here with us.”
Taylor set to miss rest of season
Newcastle defender Steven Taylor could be out for the rest of the season after suffering an Achilles tendon injury in the 3-3 home draw with Burnley on Thursday.
“Unfortunately there’s bad news with Steven,” assistant manager John Carver told reporters.
“It looks like he’s snapped his Achilles tendon. We’ll make sure he’s looked after and everything will be done properly.”
Carver was in charge of the team against Burnley with manager Alan Pardew all set to take over at Premier League rivals Crystal Palace in the coming days.
Mutu linked with Fiorentina trial
Reports in the Italian media yesterday indicated that Fiorentina were ready to offer their former striker Adrian Mutu a way back to their fold this month.
The Romanian is a free agent after leaving FC Petrolul Ploiesti in his homeland, and failing to complete a move to Pune City in the Indian Super League.
Corriere Fiorentino said that the Viola’s crisis in attack means they are seriously considering offering Mutu a return to Florence where he spent five years between 2006 and 2011.
Mutu will be offered a two-week trial first in order to prove his fitness and allowing the club to pursue other potential targets.
United freeze prices
Man. United have announced a freeze on season ticket prices for the fourth year in a row despite the financial blow of missing out on the Champions League.
The club have announced the prices for 2015-16 and the rise in commercial income from sponsors has allowed the club to freeze prices once more for the fifth time in six years.
United’s season ticket prices range from £532 to £950 and the club’s executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward was writing to all current season ticket holders yesterday to inform them of the freeze.
The club announced in November that revenue was down by almost 10 per cent for the first quarter of the financial year.
Fan charged with ‘confrontation’
A football supporter has been charged by police after allegedly confronting Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger as his side crashed to a 2-0 defeat at Southampton.
The incident happened at the end of the match at St Mary’s Stadium, on Thursday.
Luke Bryant, 25, was arrested and subsequently charged with an offence of going on to an area adjacent to the playing area contrary to the Football (Offences) Act 1991. He will appear at Southampton’s Court on January 22.
The arrest came after a fan was seen to run with his arms outstretched in front of the Gunners boss as he sat in the dugout late on in the game.
Footage showed the man being bundled away down the tunnel by two stewards.