Football Center

Team news: Chelsea depleted

2007-12-28T05:42:00.000-08:00

See the team news and prospective line-ups for the weekend's Premier League matches.

Chelsea v Newcastle United

Chelsea will be missing midfielder Frank Lampard at Stamford Bridge after he damaged his thigh in Wednesday's draw with Aston Villa. The Blues are also missing captain John Terry (broken foot), striker Didier Drogba (knee surgery) and winger Florent Malouda (knee), while defender Ricardo Carvalho is suspended after being sent off against Villa. Ashley Cole has appealed against his red card in the same match.

Newcastle, who have won only two of their last 10 league matches, travel with manager Sam Allardyce under extreme pressure after defeat at Wigan on Boxing Day. They are without Joey Barton after the midfielder was charged with assault and is remanded in custody until January 3.

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Real players offered multi-million-euro bonus for treble

2007-12-28T05:40:00.000-08:00

MADRID (AFP) - Real Madrid bosses have promised players a bonus of 900,000-euro (1.3 million dollars) each if they achieve the treble - the Primera Liga, Champions League and Spanish Cup titles this season, sports daily Marca reported here on Friday.

The Spanish giants have never achieved the feat in one season and the sum being offered is an increase on the 600,000 euro (881,000 dollars) originally offered, the newspaper reported.

As Real's first team includes 22 players this would mean the club will pay out an estimated 19.8 million euro (29m dollars) in bonuses.

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Trabelsi on trial at Marseille

2007-12-28T05:38:00.001-08:00

Former Ajax and Manchester City right back Hatem Trabelsi is on trial at Marseille with a view to a January move.

The Tunisia international, who turns 31 in January, was released by City in the summer after only one season following the emergence of local duo Micah Richards and Nedum Onuoha and has been given permission to train with l'OM by Saudi club Al Hilal, for whom he signed in November after a move to Lazio fell through.

He is currently training with the South Coast club - who had expressed an interest in him last summer - along with a group of youngsters also vying for the right back slot in the senior team.

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Dortmund eye Lehmann move

2007-12-28T05:35:00.000-08:00

Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund have refused to rule out a move for Arsenal keeper Jens Lehmann in the January transfer window.

Lehmann's contract with the Gunners expires in the summer. The German has lost his place this season, with Manuel Almunia now established as number one after a series of assured performances.

Wolfsburg have been tracking Lehmann for some time and a number of other Bundesliga clubs also seem alert to his situation.

Dortmund have lost goalkeeper Roman Weidenfeller for three months following shoulder surgery. The club's sporting director Michaelk Zorc hinted that the Bundesliga giants could be interested in a move for Lehmann.

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D'Alessandro in exit threat

2007-12-28T05:33:00.000-08:00

Zaragoza playmaker Andres D'Alessandro has said that he wants more playing time and threatened to leave the Liga club.

"When I am sitting on the bench I feel that I am not useful to my team," he said. "I think that the coach of Zaragoza is being unfair with me because I deserved to start the year playing.

"I have to keep on working to play because that is the only thing I want to do, but if I am not going to be given that chance I would prefer to be transferred elsewhere."

Argentinian clubs San Lorenzo and River Plate have already showed interest in D'Alessandro, but Zaragoza officials have said that they do not want to let the player go.

"I know about the interest of River and that makes me feel good because I spent half of my life at that club," he continued.

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Palermo deny Mafia extortion

2007-12-28T05:29:00.000-08:00

Palermo have refuted Italian media reports that the Serie A club may have been the victim of Mafia extortion attempts.

"Palermo categorically denies that the club, its administrators or directors have ever received demands or pressures of an extortive nature from anyone or, even less so, from anyone linked to organised crime," the club stated.

La Gazzetta dello Sport newspaper said on Friday that a letter written to captured Mafia boss Salvatore Lo Piccolo mentioned one of Palermo's youth team coaches and the club's plans to build a new stadium.

The letter was among documents seized when Lo Piccolo was arrested at his Sicilian hideout last month, it said.

more : eurosport

Cesc agent: Madrid not for Fab

2007-12-28T05:26:00.000-08:00

Cesc Fabregas's agent has poured cold water on claims from Real Madrid that he is ready to quit Arsenal and move to the Spanish champions.

The Spain playmaker, who has starred in the Gunners' impressive start to the season, is a long-term target of Madrid.

"Cesc has a message for the fans," his agent Joseba Diaz told The Sun. "He's very happy at Arsenal and loves [manager] Arsene Wenger.

"There is no chance he would move. He is absolutely committed to the club.

"All he thinks about is helping them win the Premier League title and the Champions League."

more : eurosport

Sven: Roque goal incorrect

2007-12-28T05:25:00.000-08:00

Sven-Goran Eriksson has said that referee Howard Webb was wrong to allow Roque Santa Cruz's controversial late equaliser that robbed Manchester City of their 100 percent home league record against Blackburn.

Santa Cruz powered home David Bentley's curling cross six minutes from time to earn Rovers a 2-2 draw - and even the visitors' boss Mark Hughes felt sure the goal would be disallowed after assistant referee Darren Cann raised his flag.

However, Cann then informed Webb he had incorrectly anticipated David Dunn getting a touch on Bentley's cross. Dunn, who jumped to head from an offside position, was then deemed to be non-active - allowing Webb to give the goal.

more : eurosport

Fantasy: Choose 'em, Lose 'em?

2007-12-28T05:23:00.000-08:00

With another two games to be played in the Premier League's festive programme, we offer double the Fantasy advice in the final edition of Choose 'em, or Lose 'em of 2007 and the first of 2008.

PICK OF THE WEEK

David Bentley (17.51) - Though the price is very high for Bentley, the Englishman has been on song for the Rovers of late and played superbly in a 1-0 loss against Chelsea at the weekend before setting up both of Roque Santa Cruz's goals against Man City mid-week. Expect nice things away at Derby and then home to Sunderland if he doesn't spend too much time on the bench.

more : eurosport

Lampard out for fortnight

2007-12-28T05:20:00.000-08:00

England midfielder Frank Lampard will be out for two weeks due to a torn thigh muscle, Chelsea have admitted.

"Scans today have revealed a tear in Frank Lampard's right thigh," the club said. "The tear is not in the same leg that Frank injured earlier this season.

"He will begin his rehabilitation immediately and we hope to have him back playing within a few weeks.''

29-year-old pulled up during the 4-4 draw against Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge but should return before they lose Michael Essien and John Obi Mikel to the African Cup of Nations.

more : eurosport

Bail-less Barton behind bars

2007-12-28T04:41:00.000-08:00

Troubled Newcastle midfielder Joey Barton has been refused bail and will be remanded in custody until January 3 after being charged with common assault and affray by Merseyside Police.
Barton, 25, was arrested with his 19-year-old brother Andrew Barton and Nadine Wilson, 27, on Church Street in Liverpool city centre on Thursday after an incident.
Wilson was also charged with common assault and affray while Andrew Barton was charged with affray and assault occasioning actual body harm.
While the England international remains behind bars during struggling Newcastle's New Year programme, his sibling and Wilson have both been bailed and released.

more : eurosport