CHELSEA face an anxious wait for an update on the fitness of Michael Essien after the Ghana midfielder sustained a knee injury.

Chelsea have confirmed midfielder Michael Essien suffered a knee injury during today’s pre-season training.

Celtic today confirmed defender Cha Du Ri will be out of action for one month after picking up an ankle injury.

Blackpool’s David Carney will miss the Barclays Premier League match against Birmingham tomorrow after linking up with Australia ahead of the Asia Cup.

Stoke 2 Everton 0

Alex Ferguson expects to have Paul Scholes back training next week after ordering his veteran midfielder to rest a troublesome groin injury.

Everton will again give fitness tests to defenders Phil Jagielka and John Heitinga ahead of tomorrow’s Barclays Premier League trip to Stoke.

After watching Danny Welbeck’s loan move to Sunderland propel him towards what Alex Ferguson expects to be an England call-up next year, the Manchester United boss has decided to release Federico Macheda for the remainder of the season as well.

BOLTON manager Owen Coyle will not be fooled into thinking tonight’s trip to Chelsea will be anything other than difficult.

Bolton are short on numbers for tomorrow’s Barclays Premier League trip to champions Chelsea.

Celtic 2 St Johnstone 0

Neil Lennon has revealed that Freddie Ljungberg will arrive in Glasgow tonight with a view to signing for Celtic.

EVERTON boss David Moyes is not surprised clubs of Bayern Munich’s ilk might be interested in in-form left-back Leighton Baines.

Everton boss David Moyes is not surprised clubs of Bayern Munich’s ilk might be interested in in-form left-back Leighton Baines.

Bolton midfielder Mark Davies returns from suspension for the Barclays Premier League clash against West Brom on Sunday.

WHEN Roberto Mancini, the Manchester City manager, looks across to David Moyes, his Everton counterpart this evening in the opposite dugout, do not bet against the duo casting envious glances at each other.

Manchester United set off for Malaysia and the first stop on a four-match tour of the Far East without their number one draw, two new signings and Nemanja Vidic.

Everton 3 Larissa 1

Everton’s Tim Cahill could today find out the extent of his latest injury problem after seeing a specialist yesterday.

Newcastle boss Sam Allardyce this afternoon clinched the first signing of his reign when he landed striker Mark Viduka.

Alex Ferguson has embarked on a £40m retail therapy mission to make up for the disappointment of Manchester United’s FA Cup final defeat to Chelsea.

HARRY KEWELL has been ruled out of the start of Liverpool’s Premiership season with the injury that wrecked his World Cup campaign with Australia.

Harry Kewell has been ruled out of the start of Liverpool’s Barclays Premiership season with the injury that wrecked his World Cup campaign wth Australia.

BIRMINGHAM captain Kenny Cunningham will miss the first two games of the 2004/05 Premiership season following his sending off in Saturday’s 3-0 defeat by Liverpool.

Birmingham captain Kenny Cunningham will miss the first two games of the 2004/05 Premiership season following his sending off in Saturday’s 3-0 defeat to Liverpool.

The Iraq national team are to train and play friendly matches in England as part of their preparation for the Asia Cup.

Newcastle 0, Chelsea 0 (Chelsea won 5-4 on pens)

KIERON DYER has pledged his future to Newcastle, handing Bobby Robson just the selection poser he wants.

Ireland international Damien Duff has made his Chelsea debut - coming on as a second-half substitute in the Asia Cup match against Malaysia.

Bobby Robson knows what it takes to succeed at the highest level and the experienced campaigner insisted today that the controversial characters he has brought to St James’ Park over the last 12 months will fit perfectly into his winning formula.

LEE BOWYER will begin the task of winning over his critics tomorrow when he reports for pre-season training with new club Newcastle.