A round-up of today’s other stories in brief

Benayoun ruled out for six months

CHELSEA MIDFIELDER Yossi Benayoun has been ruled out for up to six months due to an Achilles injury suffered while on international duty with Israel.

The 30-year-old, who joined the Blues from Liverpool in the summer, will undergo surgery on the injury on Monday, the club have confirmed.

Benayoun ruptured his Achilles during an Israel training session last week before returning to the club.

“Yossi Benayoun will undergo surgery on his Achilles on Monday,” a club statement said. “The Israeli international returned to the club from international duty last week, and will now be out of action for approximately six months.” That effectively means the midfielder will be out of action for the remainder of the season.

Hunt ready to return after frustrating eight months

STEPHEN HUNT is ready to end eight months of injury frustration after declaring himself available to face West Ham in Saturday’s crunch relegation battle.

Hunt came through 45 minutes of last night’s reserve clash against Wigan with no ill effects.

It was his first action since being sidelined with a foot injury at his previous club, Hull, in February.

But Hunt, signed by Wolves in the summer for €3.5 million, is confident he can play some part against the Hammers at Molineux.

He said: “The foot felt good and I was happy to get 45 minutes. To play 45 minutes was always the plan although I probably could have played for longer.

“I found myself making the runs I normally make and I’m going to get sharper and better as the weeks go on. . . It would be great to play against West Ham. It’s a big game for us after four defeats in a row.”

Hughton notes improvement

CHRIS HUGHTON is convinced there are fewer bad challenges now than there were during his playing days despite the loss of Hatem Ben Arfa to a horror tackle.

The Newcastle boss is facing up to having to do without his loan signing for months after the Frenchman suffered a double leg fracture when he was scythed down by Manchester City’s Nigel de Jong on October 3rd.

However, former Tottenham and Republic of Ireland full-back Hughton insists the game is cleaner now than it was when he was in his playing prime.

He said: “It’s a combination of a few things: the amount of cameras now at the stadium mean that very rarely are they missed; the pitches are lusher and clear now; the game has got quicker, but yes, they are highlighted more now than before.

“If anybody says to me there are more bad challenges now than before, then I certainly don’t see it that way.”

Hargreaves fit for comeback

OWEN HARGREAVES’ surgeon has suggested the injury-plagued Manchester United star will make his comeback in Saturday’s Premier League encounter with West Brom.

It is now over two years since Hargreaves played a meaningful senior game but Dr Richard Steadman said: “Owen should play some part on Saturday. Our physical therapist, Luke O’Brien, has been working very closely with United’s coaches.”

Wenger hints at future role with PSG

ARSENE WENGER has not ruled out taking a role at Paris St Germain before the end of his career.

The 60-year-old is contracted to Arsenal until 2014 and is unlikely to take on a managerial role away from the Emirates Stadium.

Asked if he could one day join PSG, he told newspaper Le Republicain Lorrain: “It’s not impossible, but it would not be as coach.

“PSG is the only club in the world to exist in a pool of 10 million people with no competition.

“But in Paris they believe that a simple change of coach can solve their problems. What is needed is investors round the table to give the club funds.”

Wenger has not brought a trophy to Arsenal since 2005.

Asked to defend his record, he said: “Arsenal get better each season without losing €200 million a year. This is not true of all my colleagues in England and the rest of Europe. . .”

Rush a contender for Welsh post

IAN RUSH is set to challenge Brian Flynn for the Wales manager’s job after it emerged the former Liverpool striker was interested in the post and regarded as a genuine contender, writes Stuart James.

Rush would be a surprise choice given his managerial experience is limited to nine months in charge of Chester City more than five years ago, but he remains one of the most famous players to represent his country and has close contacts within the Football Association of Wales.

The process of naming a successor to John Toshack will gather momentum today when the FAW committee convene to draw up a timetable for the new appointment.

• Guardian Service