Nélson should be fit to take on Liverpool (©Getty Images)Nélson fit for Mersey mission
Thursday, 2 March 2006
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PrintSL Benfica full-back Nélson is expected to be fit for next Wednesday's UEFA Champions League trip to Liverpool FC, despite being a major doubt for Saturday's Liga match at CF Estrela da Amadora. The 22-year-old hurt his ankle when making his debut for Portugal's Under-21 side on Tuesday.
Marek Nikl has become the second 1. FC Nürnberg defender to extend his contract in as many days, adding two years to a deal due to expire at the end of the season. "Marek is almost part of the club's furniture," said sporting director Martin Bader. "He is an important personality in the squad as well as being a key player." The 30-year-old Czech international has scored one goal in 16 Bundesliga games this season. Andreas Wolf penned a three-year extension on Tuesday. Midfielder Sven Müller, meanwhile, has sustained a serious knee injury in training and will be operated on today. The 25-year-old faces a number of weeks on the sidelines.
FC Schalke 04 defender Mladen Krstajić will continue to play for Serbia and Montenegro after the FIFA World Cup, having been talked out of retiring from international football in the summer. The 31-year-old has missed just two of Schalke's 23 Bundesliga games this season.
Feyenoord forward Tim Vincken will miss the remainder of the Dutch season as he requires surgery for a shoulder injury. The 19-year-old has already suffered two hamstring injuries and a broken leg this term, limiting Vincken to three substitute appearances in the Eredivisie.
FC Shakhtar Donetsk striker Ruslan Fomin will spend the next six months on loan at FC Metalist Kharkiv. The Ukrainian Under-21 international, 20 today, will represent his country in this summer's UEFA European U21 Championship having notched three goals in qualifying. Fomin has scored once in six Ukrainian top-flight matches for Shakhtar.
Miguel Ángel Lozano is back in training with Real Betis Balompié, 133 days after sustaining a serious knee injury. The 27-year-old midfielder said: "I feel like a footballer again. I have to be honest: if I was asked to play on Sunday, I would have to say I'm not fit yet, but I would love to play in one of the UEFA Cup matches." Betis face FC Steaua Bucuresti in the last 16 of that competition.
Latvia captain Vitalis Astafjevs has returned home to rejoin Skonto FC on a reported two-year deal after leaving Russian side FC Rubin Kazan. Coach Paul Ashworth was delighted to welcome the 34-year-old, who has 123 caps for his country. "I am sure he will become an integral part of our team," he said.
Full-back Wayne Bridge, who is on loan at Fulham FC from Chelsea FC, was stretchered off during the first half of England's friendly victory against Uruguay at Anfield. It was initially feared the 25-year-old had suffered ankle ligament damage but a scan revealed only a light sprain and he should be back within a fortnight.
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