Winger Lukas Podolski is doubtful for Germany’s Euro 2016 qualifiers against Ireland and Georgia over the next few days after picking up an ankle injury.
Fellow midfielder Karim Bellarabi is also being treated for a shoulder injury but could still be fit in time for tomorrow’s Group D game in Dublin that could secure Germany a spot in next year’s tournament. Germany then host Georgia on Sunday.
“Lukas Podolski has problems with his left ankle,” team spokes-man Jens Grittner said.
“More tests will be done but we cannot give any more detailed prognosis yet.”
Janmaat joins Dutch injury list
Newcastle defender Daryl Janmaat is the third player forced out because of injury from the Netherlands squad for their last two Euro 2016 group qualifiers.
Janmaat has a knee injury and was ruled out after consultations with team doctors yesterday. It is a blow for Janmaat after missing last month’s Group A matches against Iceland and Turkey.
Lying fourth in Group A, the Netherlands must win away against Kazakhstan and at home to the Czech Republic next Tuesday to stand any chance of making the play-offs.
Moyes appointment no mistake – Fergie
Alex Ferguson insisted Manchester United did not make a mistake in appointing David Moyes as his successor as manager.
Moyes left Everton to take charge at Old Trafford following Ferguson’s retirement in 2013 but lasted just 10 months before being sacked. Ferguson, who recommended Moyes, said his fellow Scot was the right choice at the time the decision was made.
Ferguson said: “I don’t think we made a mistake at all. I think we chose a good football man. We picked the right man. Unfortunately it didn’t work for David.”
Ferguson was speaking in a new TV documentary, ‘Sir Alex Ferguson: Secrets of Success’.
Dick Advocaat wants tilt at Euros
Dick Advocaat, who quit Sunderland at the weekend, says he will never coach a club side again although he does want to have a crack at leading a country at the European Championship.
The 68-year-old blamed a lack of spending power for the north east team’s slide to second from bottom in the English Premier League.
“If you are at a club like Sunderland, a club that has less money to spend than many of the others, what has happened now is inevitable... and I have no appetite for that,” Advocaat said.
“I have not asked for any settlement money nor received any and I’m 100 per cent sure I’ll never coach a club again. But it would be nice to help a country to qualify for the Euros, I would really like to coach at a Euros.”
Shaw returns to training ground
Manchester United’s Luke Shaw returned to the club’s training ground for the first time as he steps up his recovery from a double leg break he suffered in the Champions League loss to PSV last month, the defender said on Twitter.
“First day back at the training ground today, nice to be back,” Shaw said.
The England international is likely to be out for about six months after he was injured under a challenge from defender Hector Moreno as he stormed into the box in the 15th minute.
The 20-year-old, who was carried off on a stretcher with an oxygen mask strapped to his face, reportedly went under the knife twice before he was brought back to England.
Worrying survey
Depression and mental health problems in football are widespread with more than a third of players reporting symptoms, according to new research.
International players’ union FIFPro said 38 per cent of the 607 players interviewed reported having problems at some stage – especially those who had suffered serious injuries. In the general population, the figure is between 13 and 17 per cent.
Former PFA chairman Clarke Carlisle revealed this year he attempted suicide while suffering from depression.
FIFPro had carried out a study in 2013 and the latest research shows the scale of mental health problems among players to be even more serious than was thought from the earlier research.
UEFA delays Romania ruling
Romania will not have to play tomorrow’s Euro 2016 qualifier against Finland behind closed doors after UEFA decided to further investigate racist behaviour by their fans, the Finnish soccer body (SPL) said.
The initial decision to punish Romania followed racist and violent behaviour by their supporters during the goalless draws against Hungary and Greece.
“According to the UEFA decision on Monday, the punishment will be postponed due to additional research, and the game on Thursday will be played in Bucharest in front of an audience as usual,” the SPL said.
UEFA’s disciplinary panel also fined the Romanian federation €110,000 in September for the bad behaviour.