Chelsea received a boost on Tuesday when Didier Drogba was given the all-clear on the rib injury he suffered in Sunday’s 1-0 win over Manchester United. The Ivory Coast striker limped off in the 83rd minute after a clash with Jonny Evans, but a scan yesterday revealed bruising around his chest rather than a broken rib, as was first feared.
Drogba has been allowed to report for international duty with the Ivory Coast, who have a World Cup qualifier against Guinea on Saturday followed by a friendly international against Germany a week today. Chelsea are hopeful that Ashley Cole, who pulled out of the England squad to face Brazil on Saturday because of a fractured tibia, will recover in time to face Arsenal on November 29.
Spurs’ record profit
Tottenham Hotspur’s latest financial results have revealed transfer spending of almost £150 million since June 2008, second only to Manchester City. Spurs made record pre-tax profits of £33.4 million in the year to June 2009, helped by the sales of Dimitar Berbatov to Manchester United and Robbie Keane to Liverpool. They spent £119.3 million in the financial year, with £29.4 million invested since on Peter Crouch, S?bastien Bassong, Niko Kranjcar, Kyle Naughton and Kyle Walker.
Saha in demand
Everton will open contract talks with Louis Saha in the new year in a bid to end any chance of the Frenchman leaving the club on a free transfer next summer. Besiktas, the Turkish club, were interested in signing the 31-year-old forward in the close season only for David Moyes, the Everton manager, to make it clear that Saha was not for sale. But with his two-year contract due to expire next August, Saha would be entitled to speak to clubs interested in signing him from January.
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Spurs’ record profit
Tottenham Hotspur’s latest financial results have revealed transfer spending of almost £150 million since June 2008, second only to Manchester City. Spurs made record pre-tax profits of £33.4 million in the year to June 2009, helped by the sales of Dimitar Berbatov to Manchester United and Robbie Keane to Liverpool. They spent £119.3 million in the financial year, with £29.4 million invested since on Peter Crouch, S?bastien Bassong, Niko Kranjcar, Kyle Naughton and Kyle Walker.
Howe in the frame
Eddie Howe, the Bournemouth manager, has emerged as the bookmakers’ favourite to replace Darren Ferguson at Peterborough United. The departure “by mutual consent” of Ferguson, 37, was confirmed on Tuesday after a financial settlement was agreed. Ferguson signed a four-year contract in July after delivering back-to-back promotions, but his team have won only two games in the Coca-Cola Championship. “The club would like to thank Darren for his magnificent service,” a club statement read.
Red light for Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo will miss both legs of Portugal’s World Cup qualifying play-off against Bosnia-Herzegovina after the team’s doctors ruled that his ankle is still injured. The Portuguese football federation said in a statement that the doctors checked Ronaldo’s fitness after he flew into Lisbon on Tuesday and agreed with Real Madrid’s diagnosis that the winger was unfit. Portugal play Bosnia-Herzegovina in Lisbon on Saturday and then in Zenica a week today.