SOCCER SHORTS:Phil Jones faces up to eight weeks on the sidelines with a knee injury. The Manchester United defender suffered the injury in training earlier this week and was sent for a scan which has confirmed he requires an extensive period of rehabilitation.
A club statement said: “Phil Jones has had surgery on a knee meniscus tear sustained in training that will require six to eight weeks’ rehabilitation.”
It is further bad news for the 20-year-old, who is yet to make an appearance this season. After an extensive break following Euro 2012, he suffered a back injury that prevented him playing any part in pre-season.
Jones missed United’s opening three Premier League games and the start of England’s World Cup qualifying campaign, but his return to training was supposed to be the prelude to his comeback. Instead, he is sidelined until November.
Terry ruled out of Ukraine qualifier
John Terry has been ruled out of England’s World Cup qualifier against Ukraine at Wembley on Tuesday due to his ankle injury, the English FA has confirmed.
Terry suffered the setback during Friday night’s 5-0 win in Moldova and England finished the game with 10 men after the Chelsea defender limped off in the closing stages.
He continued to have treatment on Saturday after returning to England but it has been decided, an FA spokesman said, that Terry will not be able to face the Ukrainians.
Gary Cahill is likely to replace Terry and partner Joleon Lescott at centre-back in the second qualifying match of the campaign. It would be Cahill’s first appearance at Wembley since he suffered the broken jaw against Belgium that ruled him out of Euro 2012. Phil Jagielka is the other player in contention.
Fellaini claims he can leave Everton
Everton midfielder Marouane Fellaini claims he could leave the club in January, despite being under contract for the next four years.
The Belgium international has been the driving force behind Everton’s strong start to the new league season, scoring the only goal in the victory against Manchester United in their opening fixture.
The 24-year-old appeared committed to David Moyes’s plans after penning a new contract through to 2016 as recently as November, but in an interview with a Belgian newspaper he said he was looking for a way out of Goodison Park.
“I am just starting my fifth season at Everton. This will be one of my last,” he told Het Nieuwsblad. “I have seen everything. In January or at the end of the season I will turn to another club or championship.” He joined Everton in a £15 million move from Standard Liège in 2008 and has scored 22 goals in 130 appearances.
