Injury heartache goes on for Fulham’s Johnson

February 3, 2010

Andy Johnson, Fulham’s former England striker, will be out of action for at least three weeks with a knee injury that is threatening to rule him out for the rest of the season.

Johnson, who has made only 13 appearances in the current campaign as a result of a dislocated collarbone and a groin strain, is to have exploratory surgery to determine the gravity of the injury.

“If they find that the problem is as major as it could possibly be, then he would need an operation that would keep him out for the rest of the season,” Fulham boss Roy Hodgson said, adding that the 28-year-old had been “shattered” by the latest setback.

“If we’re lucky and the major operation is not needed, and it’s something wrong with the cartilage, then he might be back earlier.

“At the moment we’re talking three to four weeks, and the worst-case scenario is the rest of the season and him being fit to join us in pre-season.”

Hodgson is already without Clint Dempsey and Zoltan Gera because of their knee injuries and he admitted he would not have let Diomansy Kamara go to Celtic on loan earlier this week if he had been aware of Johnson’s latest problem.

“One of the reasons why we let Diomansy go was because we didn’t think the problem with Andy was anywhere near as grave,” Hodgson said.

“I was concerned that I would not be able to give Diomansy regular games, so when a club of Celtic’s stature comes in for him, it is very difficult for me to say ‘you have to stay’.”

Hodgson added: “Andy is shattered. He’s devastated. If it’s as serious as it could turn out to be, it needs to be put right for the start of next season.”

Fulham were due to face the Premier League’s bottom side, Portsmouth, on Wednesday with the west London club aiming to end a run of five straight defeats.

“At the moment I can divorce performances from results, but if you keep losing you will get dragged down there and get into a relegation battle,” Hodgson warned.

“I’m hoping that won’t happen and in the not-too-distant future we will have a squad of players together who are more competitive than we currently are.”

LONDON (AFP)

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Setback for Ghana as Essien out of next Nations Cup game

January 19, 2010

Ghana suffered a colossal blow to their hopes of qualifying for the Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals when their best player, Michael Essien, was ruled out of Tuesday’s game against Burkina Faso.

Chelsea’s star midfielder misses the final Group B game in Luanda after injuring his right knee in training on Saturday and his English club said he was to return to London “later this week”.

Randy Abbey, Ghana’s team spokesman, told AFP: “Unfortunately we have had the results of the scan back and the coach has confirmed that Michael will definitely miss Tuesday’s game.”

It was unclear how serious this latest setback was and whether Essien might recover in time to play any further role in Ghana’s Nations Cup campaign should they progress to the last eight.

Reports suggest he has torn the medial collateral ligament in his right knee and damaged his meniscus, leaving him facing at least one month on the sidelines.

Ghana are one point behind Burkina Faso who put themselves in a sound position to qualify when coming away from their opening game against Ivory Coast with a goalless draw and a precious point.

Ghana arrived in Angola with a raft of key players missing forcing coach Milovan Rajevac to field a largely inexperienced side.

Of the Burkina Faso test he said: “Our next match is a question of double or quits.”

Rajevac suggested the lopsided scoreline against the Ivory Coast did not do his side justice.

“We didn’t play as badly as the score suggests. Most of the time we played well but unfortunately we didn’t get the breaks.”

After Essien’s injury setback it looks as though lady luck has yet to smile on the first team from Africa to qualify for the 2010 World Cup.

Burkina Faso set out a defensive stall against the Ivory Coast and the ploy worked a treat as European-based stars like Didier Drogba and Kolo Toure were held at bay.

Burkian Faso coach Paulo Duarte said: “That goalless drew has allowed us to start thinking of qualifying for the last eight. Now we have to take on another World Cup qualifer in Ghana, but my team has the ability to put up a good performance.”

Togo, the other country drawn in Group B, withdrew before the tournament kicked off last Sunday after the bus convoy carrying them into Angola was attacked in the restive northern Angolan enclave of Cabinda.

LUANDA (AFP)

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Huge blow for Ghana as Essien ruled out

January 18, 2010

Ghana suffered a collossal blow to their hopes of qualifying for the Africa Cup of Nations’ quarter-finals when their best player, Michael Essien, was ruled out of Tuesday’s game against Burkina Faso.

Chelsea’s star midfielder misses the final Group B game in Luanda after injuring his right knee in training on Saturday.

Randy Abbey, Ghana’s team spokesman, told AFP: “Unfortunately we have had the results of the scan back and the coach has confirmed that Michael will definitely miss Tuesday’s game.”

It was unclear how serious this latest setback was and whether Essien might recover in time to play any further role in Ghana’s Nations Cup campaign should they progress to the last eight.

Reports suggest he has torn the medial collateral ligament in his right knee and damage to his meniscus leaving him facing at least one month on the sidelines.

The 27-year-old is walking with the aid of crutches.

World Cup qualifiers Ghana are one point behind Burkina Faso and the four-time champions need a win to avoid being eliminated after the first round of the biennial African football showpiece.

Ivory Coast are already qualified.

Togo, the other country drawn in Group B, withdrew before the tournament kicked off last Sunday after the bus convoy carrying them into Angola was attacked in this restive northern Angolan enclave.

It is impossible to underestimate the effect Essien’s absence will have on a side already ravaged by injury.

With a raft of key players missing the Black Stars fell 3-1 to competition favourites Ivory Coast in their opening game with coach Milovan Rajevac having to field a largely inexperienced side.

Ghana kicked off without first-choice players like defenders John Pantsil and John Mensah, midfielders Anthony Annan, Stephen Appiah, Essien, who came on as a substitute, Laryea Kingson, Sulley Muntari and striker Asamoah Gyan.

A fully fit Essien would have given Ghana strength and experience in midfield against a Burkina Faso side that was good enough to hold the Ivory Coast to a goalless draw in their opening Group C game.

Essien, who arrived in Angola late for the tournament because snow delayed his flight from London, has been struggling to recover from a hamstring injury sustained playing for Chelsea in the Champions League last month.

He was kept on the bench until half-time against Ivory Coast last Friday in Cabinda to avoid aggravating the injury and his second-half presence on the pitch could not prevent a 3-1 loss.

This new injury is completely unconnected to his previous problem and represents a cruel twist of fate for the Ghana international.

Ghana striker Matthew Amoah told BBC Sport: “This is a big blow because Michael is so important to our team.

“We’ve lost the motor in our midfield, and this is very bad.”

LUANDA (AFP)

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Carragher: ‘It will only get tougher for Liverpool now’

January 14, 2010

Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher has apologised for the embarrasing performances of his club. The elimination in the FA Cup, by Championship minnows Reading, is the latest setback in a disappointing season for the Reds.

“It was a very bad night for Liverpool,” Carragher told the Liverpool Echo. “we can’t disguise that – we had to do more against a side from a lower league.

““We have to apologise for the way we performed. We have to give credit to Reading, hold our hands up. We all like to win but when you don’t, you have to be a good loser.

“We have to accept they deserved it. But, at the same time, we have got to look at ourselves and the way we performed was not acceptable.

“We’ve got a massive game coming up against Stoke now. It will be very tough, as we played extra time and we have got to show enormous character to come back.

Tags: apologise, Championship, Cup, Echo, extra time, FA Cup, good loser, jamie carragher, latest setback, Liverpool, liverpool echo, massive game, night, reds, season, side, Stoke

Determined Ferrara: ‘I think my job is not at risk’

January 11, 2010

Ciro Ferrara said he believed he would stay in his job after Juventus’ latest setback against Milan. On Sunday, the Juventus manager saw how his team got thrashed by their competitors from Milan.

Juventus were stunned by Milan: goals from Allessandro Nesta and Ronaldinho (2) secured a wide victory for the Rossoneri. Table topper Internazionale now has a twelve point lead over their rivals from Turin. However, Ferrara has no thoughts of quitting his job.

“I am not made like that. My way is to try to change things.

“I sincerely think my job is not at risk. Of course we are in a negative period but it’s not for me to make the decisions. Any decisions will be accepted.”

The Bianconeri spent heavily in the close season but Brazilians Diego and Felipe Melo have been big flops so far.

A flurry of injuries, including a knock to midfielder Christian Poulsen on Sunday which could delay Tiago’s planned loan move to Atletico Madrid, have also not helped Ferrara.

“I obviously understand the disappointment of the fans.

“Our aim is to try to find the enthusiam there was at the start of the season,” added Ferrara.

His Milan colleague Leonardo was satisfied with his team and backed Ferrara.

“It was a difficult game, even if it didn’t seem like that,” the Brazilian coach said.

“Juve are in a situation similar to us in October, it seems like everything is going wrong. I say to Ciro that it can sort itself out.”

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Boumsong a doubt for Champions League opener

September 8, 2009

Ligue 1 giant Lyon’s centre-back Jean-Alain Boumsong is a doubt for next week’s Champions League opener against Fiorentina after picking up a groin injury in training.

Boumsong suffered the knock in a collision with fellow defender Anthony Reveillere and was helped back to the dressing room by medical staff.

The 29-year-old former Rangers and Juventus defender had only just shaken off a similar problem and is expected to rest up for a few days while Lyon’s medical team assess this latest setback.

“Jean-Alain feels a pain in the groin and will be rested for 48 hours,” read a team statement. “An update will be done with him Friday.”

Boumsong faces a race against time to be fit for OL’s Ligue 1 match against Lorient on Saturday and the Champions League Group E clash with Fiorentina at Stade de Gerland the following Wednesday.

Abhimanyu Rajput

Tags: abhimanyu, Anthony Reveillere, champions league group, clash, dressing room, fiorentina, former rangers, jean alain boumsong, Jean-Alain, latest setback, Ligue 1, Lorient, Lyon, match, medical staff, medical team, pain in the groin, race against time, stade de gerland

Benitez admits Liverpool´s title hopes are fading

February 23, 2009

LIVERPOOL, England (AFP) – Rafa Benitez admits that Liverpool’s flickering title hopes now rest on the outcome of their next two Premier League games after Dirk Kuyt’s equaliser salvaged a 1-1 draw against Manchester City.

Failure to claim all three points against Mark Hughes’ team on Sunday has left Liverpool seven points adrift of reigning champions Manchester United, who host Benitez’s team at Old Trafford on March 14.

But despite this latest setback in Liverpool’s bid to end their nineteen-year title drought, manager Benitez insisted they still live in hope of overhauling Sir Alex Ferguson’s European champions.

"It is clearly more difficult for us now. We have to win against Middlesbrough and Sunderland if we are to win the trophy," Benitez said.

"This is a bad result because we could have done better with our first-half chances. I have confidence that we can still do it, though. We just need to win against Middlesbrough and Sunderland.

"It is not easy to say that United will slip up, but there are still 12 games left to play, so it is not finished yet. It is clear that we will have to go to Old Trafford and beat them, though.

"United can clearly win games with their quality, but if they lose, we have to win and be there to take advantage."

Liverpool must now put domestic issues to one side as they prepare for Wednesday’s Champions League last 16 first-leg clash against Real Madrid in the Bernabeu.

And Benitez admitted that there is still doubt as to whether captain Steven Gerrard will recover from a three-week hamstring lay-off in time to face the nine-time European champions.

"We will see about Gerrard on Monday. He has to train and we will then chat with him and the doctor," Benitez said. "He is improving, but it is not easy to say."

City were unfortunate not to end their six-month wait for an away league victory. Alvaro Arbeloa’s own goal on 51 minutes was the least they deserved and the visitors could have scored more.

Craig Bellamy’s performance against his former club was key to their impressive efforts and boss Hughes admitted that the Wales international had a point to prove to Liverpool.

"You always get players wanting to do well against their former clubs and Craig is no exception in that sense," Hughes said.

"He is a proud man and he probably feels that he didn’t get a fair crack of the whip when he was here at Liverpool.

"But he is a quality player and he has done extremely well for me in the short time that he has been at the club."

Hughes, a two-time title winner during his playing days at Manchester United, admitted that his former club are now in pole position to win the league after this result.

"There are still games to go, so Liverpool can come back, but they will be looking at United to slip up for that to happen," he said.

"United don’t look like slipping up very often, though, so it is going to be difficult for Liverpool now."

In the first-half, Liverpool were simply awful. Gerrard’s absence left a huge hole behind lone striker Fernando Torres and it was not filled well by the lightweight Israeli, Yossi Benayoun, who failed miserably to trouble City goalkeeper Shay Given and his back four.

City were in confident mood, though, and it did not take long for them to be rewarded after half-time.

Robinho’s pass to Vincent Kompany sprung the offside trap and the Belgian midfielder pulled the ball back for Bellamy, whose shot beat Jose Reina via a wicked deflection off Arbeloa.

It was a deserved opener and City grew in stature, with Ireland having a goal ruled out for offside before Robinho sent a free-kick narrowly wide.

But out of nowhere, Kuyt hauled Liverpool level on 78 minutes with a close range strike.

Written by: AFP