A round-up of today's other stories in brief
Van Gaal plays down concerns over Van Persie's injury exit
Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal played down concerns over the fitness of Robin van Persie after the Manchester United striker was replaced at half-time during Tuesday night’s World Cup qualifying victory over Hungary.
Van Persie was forced out of the 4-1 win in Budapest after suffering a knock to his thigh, with Klaas Jan Huntelaar brought on, but the Oranje boss insisted he was merely erring on the side of caution.
“We took off Robin for precautionary measures,” Van Gaal said. “It doesn’t seem to be too serious, but you never know. We didn’t want to take any risks.”
Japan playmaker Shinji Kagawa has tried to play down a back injury which ruled the Manchester United midfielder out of Tuesdays 1-0 win over Iraq in a World Cup qualifier.
“I felt a twinge and didn’t want to take the risk,” the 23-year-old said. “It’s not a serious injury and I don’t think it will keep me out for long. I can walk without any problem but if I put strain on it it still hurts.” Kagawa is set to undergo tests on his return to Old Trafford.
Aguero back in training with City
Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero has returned to training at the club as he continues his rehabilitation following a knee injury.
Manchester City yesterday published a series of photographs on their official website of the Argentina international doing work at their Carrington training ground. The pictures show Aguero, who sustained the injury in City’s Premier League opener against Southampton on August 19th, stretching and running and doing some ball work.
City had been optimistic, following the results of a scan on the injury, the 24-year-old would be back in action by mid-September, although a caption with the pictures yesterday said: “Whether (the league match on Saturday away against) Stoke is too soon for a return or not remains to be seen.”
No chauffeurs for banned Ferdinand
Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has rebuffed offers of a chauffeur after he was banned from driving. The 33-year-old defender was caught speeding in his Jaguar car three times in five weeks on the same road in Manchester.
It led to a six-month ban under the points totting-up procedure despite an argument from his lawyer, Nick “Mr Loophole” Freeman, that he should only receive a shorter discretionary suspension.
Reacting to the ban on his official Twitter account, Ferdinand wrote: “Didn’t know so many drivers followed me!! Thanks for the offers but I’m cool, I’m sorted on the drivers front. #speedkills”
The court heard Ferdinand – who was not in court – was caught on camera driving at 38mph in a 30mph zone on the A56 Chester Road on February 9th after being flashed for speeding at the same spot twice the month before. He had another three points on his licence dating back to 2009.
Mr Freeman told magistrates Ferdinand was unaware he had already committed two driving offences.
Duffy signs new three-year deal with Everton
Everton and Republic of Ireland under-21 international defender Shane Duffy has signed a new three-year contract which keeps him at Goodison Park until 2015.
The 20-year-old has made eight first-team appearances for the Toffees, making his Premier League debut in January having been recalled from a loan spell with League One side Scunthorpe.
Duffy, a Republic of Ireland under-21 international, has featured once this term in the English League Cup victory over Leyton Orient last month.
“I’m delighted to get it done. It’s taken a bit of time to get it sorted but I am happy now. I have been here for a while now and loved every minute of it. Now this is sorted I can focus on working hard and continuing to improve.”
Ronaldo insists contract not an issue as he 'focuses on club'
Cristiano Ronaldo is concentrating on playing well for Real Madrid and is not agitating to improve the terms of his contract with the Spanish champions, the Portugal forward said yesterday.
Arriving back in Madrid after helping his country to World Cup qualifying wins against Luxembourg and Azerbaijan, Ronaldo wrote on his Facebook page it is “now time to return to the club and think only about my club”.
He added: “I would like to reaffirm, without being concerned about contracts, that my focus is solely on winning every game and every available trophy with the essential company of my team-mates and all madridistas”.
Ronaldo dropped a bombshell after Real’s match at home to Granada this month when he told reporters he was “sad” for professional reasons, prompting speculation he might be seeking an exit.
The 27-year-old former Manchester United player denied last week he is down in the dumps because he is not earning enough but has yet to provide any other explanation.
