Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge is expected to return to training in September after undergoing hip surgery in the United States, manager Brendan Rodgers said yesterday.
The 25-year-old has been sidelined by hip and thigh injuries and has not played since the FA Cup quarter-final win over Blackburn Rovers on April 8.
“We anticipate Daniel will be back training around September time,” Rodgers told a news conference.
“We are hopeful the issues he’s had have been resolved.”
Hull boss Bruce pins hopes on Jelavic
Hull boss Steve Bruce is convinced Nikica Jelavic can return to save his side from relegation, starting with today’s Premier League clash with Burnley.
Jelavic was on the bench for Monday night’s home defeat to Arsenal and Bruce faces the “awkward and horrible” decision of whether to risk him from the start against the Clarets.
Bruce said: “It’s a decision I’ve got to take and I hope I pick the right one.
“Our problems this season coincided with the loss of Jelavic. He came in and scored eight goals in 15 games and if he hadn’t been injured I don’t think we’d have been in the problems we are in.”
Taylor to coach in Indian Super League
Former England interim coach Peter Taylor will manage Kerala Blasters in this year’s Indian Super League, the ISL club said.
The Kerala team, co-owned by retired Indian cricket great Sachin Tendulkar, finished second in the inaugural ISL last year.
“ISL inaugural season was a huge success and I’m sure it will get better and better,” Taylor, the former Leicester City manager who led England for one game against Italy in 2000, said.
“Kerala has a strong legacy in Indian football and I am looking forward to working with the team and share the passion for football with the fans.”
Wenger stands firm over Walcott
Arsene Wenger insists Theo Walcott will not leave Arsenal this summer even if a new contract is not agreed.
The 26-year-old, whom Wenger signed from Southampton as a 17-year-old, is out of contract at the end of next season and negotiations have begun over a new deal.
“We are already talking to him,” said Wenger.
“When you go into negotiations with a player it is with a desire for him to stay. He looks keen to do it and I am keen to do it, so let’s see what comes out.
“We are always in the mode where we want to be successful.
“In case of failure, we’ll see.
“But in case of failure – that will only be in December next year.”
Pele stable after prostate surgery
Brazilian great Pele is recovering in a Sao Paulo hospital after undergoing surgery on a prostate condition.
The 74-year-old was operated on after being admitted to the Albert Einstein Hospital on Tuesday.
A medical statement quoted on the Globoesporte website read: “Edson Arantes do Nascimento (Pele) is in hospital after he underwent a surgical procedure of transurethral resection of the prostate.
“His condition is stable and he is in a room at the hospital.”
Pele was also treated at the Albert Einstein Hospital last year after being diagnosed with a urinary tract infection that stemmed from a November 13 operation to remove kidney stones.
Dortmund leave door open to Klopp
Jurgen Klopp will enter the Westfalenstadion for the penultimate time as Borussia Dortmund coach this weekend – at least for the time being.
Klopp has already announced his decision to step down in the summer and today’s clash with Hertha Berlin gives the Dortmund faithful one more chance to bid him farewell.
The last will come on the final day of the season but Dortmund’s director of sport Michael Zorc is not so sure it really will be the last time Klopp will be seen on the touchline in a Dortmund tracksuit.
“Why not?” Zorc said when asked about a possible future return for Klopp. “Maybe not in the immediate future, but Jurgen’s still a young coach so why should not he come back to Dortmund?”
Stam a fan of new man Depay
Jaap Stam has backed Memphis Depay to become a star at Manchester United.
United beat a host of their rivals, including Liverpool, to sign Depay from PSV Eindhoven.
PSV and United announced on Thursday that the 21-year-old forward would join the 20-time English champions in the summer, providing that he passes a medical, in a deal understood to be worth £25 million.
“He’s a quality player,” the former United defender told MUTV.
“United always want to attack and the club always has an interest in players that have a lot of pace and who can also play the one-vs-ones and create something or score goals. Memphis is that type of player.”