A round-up of today's other stories in brief
Johnson to miss most of season
QPR striker Andrew Johnson will miss the majority of the season after suffering a cruciate ligament injury in Saturday’s goalless draw with Chelsea.
The 31-year-old moved to Loftus Road at the start of the summer but now looks set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines. Johnson was replaced by Jamie Mackie during the first half of the stalemate with west London rivals Chelsea and Rangers confirmed that the England international will be out for some time.
A statement on the club’s official website read: “R’s front-man Andy Johnson is set for a prolonged period on the sidelines after scans revealed the 31-year-old suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury in the goalless draw against Chelsea on Saturday. Johnson was forced from the fray in the 33rd minute against Roberto di Matteo’s men, and is now likely to be sidelined for the majority of the 2012/13 season.”
Johnson has seen the last few years of his career curtailed by injuries and missed a large chunk of the 2009/10 campaign for Fulham after suffering a severe knee injury.
United expected to report revenue drop
Manchester United are expected to report a drop in revenue and profits today as a result of the club’s failure to progress in the Champions League last season.
The club will announce the full-year results today for the year ending June 30 2012.
In unaudited estimates presented to potential investors last month, the club predicted a fall in revenue of between 3 per cent and 5 per cent – an estimated €390 million to €396 million compared to €413 million for the year ending June 2011.
It is also expected to show that wages have risen by around 10 per cent compared to 2011, but that commercial deals, such with training kit partner DHL, have also risen by as much as 13 per cent to €144 million, softening the blow of the fall in broadcast income and prize money from European football. The overall revenue drop is a direct result of United’s failure to get into the knockout stages of the Champions League, especially compared to the 2010/2011 season when they reached the final. The impact of being knocked out of the FA Cup in the fourth round also has had an knock-on effect on matchday income.
Shamrock Rovers appoint Laws director of football
Shamrock Rovers have appointed Brian Laws as director of football at the club until the end of the season. Laws will take charge of the first team for Saturday’s EA Sports Cup final and for the remainder of the season.
The former Burnley, Sheffield Wednesday, Scunthorpe United and Grimsby manager also made over 100 playing appearances each for Burnley, Middlesbrough and Nottingham Forest and was signed by Brian Clough at the latter club.
Shamrock Rovers chairman, Jonathan Roche said: “We have six important league games and the EA Sports Cup final coming up over the next month and a half, and Brian is coming in to help the existing back room staff to do as well as possible in those games. Bringing Brian in also gives the club some breathing space to take our time to pick the next manager.”
Speaking after his appointment, Laws said: “I am delighted to be joining Shamrock Rovers and look forward to working with the chairman, board of directors, players, staff and supporters to move the club forward into a new era.”
Terry winning race to be fit to face Juventus
John Terry looks set to be fit for the first game of Chelsea’s Champions League defence after coming through a training session unscathed yesterday.
Terry needed treatment on a knee injury in the dying moments of the west London derby against QPR on Saturday.
That raised fears the England defender would not be able to take to the field for tomorrow’s visit of Juventus, but he participated in a training session yesterday afternoon and should be fit to face the Italian champions.
Mikel John Obi suffered a slight back injury during the 0-0 draw at Loftus Road, but will be fit for tomorrow’s game and Juan Mata trained on the weekend as he looks to return to full fitness for the game at Stamford Bridge.
Liverpool and United to discuss tribute to Hillsborough victims
Liverpool and Manchester United will talk about a tribute to the Hillsborough victims and their families for Sunday, not how to prevent distasteful chanting, in preparation for an emotionally-charged occasion at Anfield, reports Andy Hunter.
United are Liverpool’s first opponents at Anfield since the Hillsborough Independent Panel revealed the extent of the establishment cover-up over the loss of 96 lives in 1989. A meeting between the north-west rivals is always charged but the timing of Sunday’s game, the anti-Liverpool chants from a minority of United supporters against Wigan Athletic on Saturday and the ill-feeling between Luis Suarez and Patrice Evra has added to the scrutiny on their latest encounter.
Despite the controversy generated at Old Trafford on Saturday Liverpool have no plans to treat United’s visit differently to any other high-profile home fixture.
However, relatives of the Hillsborough victims will be invited to take part in a tribute and United are expected to pay their own respects before kick-off.
Guardian Service
