SOCCER/News: Chelsea are anxiously awaiting the results of fresh scans on Damien Duff's dislocated shoulder amid fears the club's most expensive player could be sidelined until February. The £17 million winger is a key figure for the club and his absence is a major blow.
Duff (24), suffered the injury in the seventh minute of Saturday's 1-0 victory against west London rivals Fulham at Loftus Road. The winger fired a shot at goal but was tackled by Sean Davis as he connected with the ball and landed awkwardly. Boss Ranieri initially gave a positive diagnosis of just two or three weeks out.
Duff has not chipped or broken any bone but fresh scans are due back imminently and will reveal whether he has suffered muscle damage - which would mean up to six weeks on the sidelines. A positive verdict from doctors would confirm Duff's return early in the New Year.
But the Republic of Ireland international, whose summer signing eclipsed even the huge fees paid for Hernan Crespo, Claude Makelele and Adrian Mutu, is out of the St Stephen's Day clash against Charlton at The Valley. Ranieri's side go into the contest amidst transfer speculation ahead of the opening of the January transfer window.
Valencia yesterday claimed they rejected a £9.3 million offer for Argentinian defender Roberto Ayala. However, Chelsea's acting chief executive Paul Smith said just a fortnight ago: "We like Ayala and had a look at him - but unfortunately he's cup-tied after playing in the UEFA Cup. We want players who are available for our Champions League campaign."
Ayala is, of course, just one of a stream of big names linked with a move to Stamford Bridge.
But Ranieri is confident his players are unperturbed by speculation over new players reported to be taking their place in the side. Asked if he felt the media circus surrounding his team affected his men, he said: "No, don't worry about that. I understand the job of agents, who want to sell players to improve their own salary. They say Chelsea want their player - but it's not true."
Meanwhile, Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson has revealed he expects striker Ruud van Nistelrooy to sign a new contract in the near future. Real Madrid have been casting admiring glances at the Dutchman, who took his United goal tally to 97 in less than three seasons with the second goal at Tottenham on Sunday.
Ronaldo and van Nistelrooy's former team-mate David Beckham both outlined what a good signing the Dutchman would be. However, Ferguson, who kept faith with the former PSV man and eventually signed him for £19 million in 2001 just 12 months after he suffered cruciate ligament damage, insisted he was not unduly worried about the rumours.
And, after chatting to the player over the last few weeks, the United manager revealed he expects the 27-year-old to extend his present deal. "We are on the point of agreeing a new contract with him and hopefully we will be able to give more details of it quite soon," he said. "You can't get upset about the reports, we just have to trust the situation and concentrate on our relationship with Ruud. Real Madrid are renowned for bringing up these kind of stories.
"Ruud is very happy here, he has two and a half years left on his current contract and I am trying my best to make sure he stays."
Ferguson, who also confirmed there were no problems with the extension to his own contract that still remains unsigned, admitted there was a chance of bringing a new face in, without revealing who his intended target might be.
Meanwhile, Ferguson also said he would continue to back Rio Ferdinand over his eight-month ban for missing a drugs test. The long-serving United boss has previously stated he would pick the England central defender as long as he is able to.
In line with English Football Association regulations, United yesterday requested written evidence of the reasons behind the lengthy sentence imposed on Ferdinand last Friday.
The demand went in within hours of the club receiving confirmation of the ban and once the reply is issued - expected to be early next week - Ferdinand will have 14 days to respond.
"Rio was wrong not to go but we will keep supporting him because there was no evidence to support the punishment he has received," said Ferguson. "We know we are going to be criticised but we are entitled to support someone we feel is innocent. It is not an easy situation for him because no one is unbreakable. We keep talking to him and he keeps saying he is fine but it is a very difficult situation to assess. He said he really wanted to play at Tottenham on Sunday and I admire that."
Ferguson also hinted his legal dispute with major United shareholder John Magnier had diluted his passion for horse racing.
The pair are currently embroiled in a battle over the ownership rights to record breaking Group One winner Rock of Gibraltar, a dispute which looks set to end up in the courts.
"I used to like racing," said Ferguson when asked about his hobbies. "But I am not as keen on it now as I used to be."
