World of Soccer
*EUROPA LEAGUE: Tottenham will use blood-spinning technique PRP to try to get Jan Vertonghen back to fitness in quick time.
Vertonghen suffered ankle ligament damage during Tottenham’s 2-1 win over Fulham last week, and given that Vlad Chiriches and Younes Kaboul are currently injured, Spurs need their top defender to return as soon as possible. In order to get Vertonghen back in first-team action, Spurs will take a sample of the player’s blood, remove the platelets — the cells that assist the healing process — and inject them back into the injured area.
The technique, known as PRP (platelet-rich plasma), is supposed to improve injury recovery time, and given that Spurs have six games in the next 17 days, they need the player available as soon as possible.
“We will have the player in a boot for one to two weeks to try to settle it,” Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas said of Vertonghen.
“We want to avoid surgery so we will use PRP treatment to try to get him back as soon as possible. We’ve had outstanding results with PRP treatment and we will do that again now.”
xChristian Eriksen and Danny Rose both trained yesterday ahead of tonight’s Europa League game against Anzhi Makhachkala (8.05pm). One person who will not play is Emmanuel Adebayor, even though he has returned to training following a knee injury. Villas-Boas gave no reason for the Togo striker’s absence. Instead, young striker Shaquile Coulthirst looks set to feature. Spurs have already qualified as Group K winners.
*EUROPA LEAGUE: Swansea’s preparation for their final Europa League group match in Switzerland against St Gallen tonight was disrupted as their departure was severely delayed yesterday.
A technical issue with the aeroplane meant their departure was delayed by more than six hours.
Swansea are second in their group, three points ahead of third-placed Kuban Krasnodar who face a difficult trip to already-qualified Valencia.
Michu is in contention again after returning from five weeks out with an ankle injury against Hull on Monday, while Angel Rangel is doubtful as he recovers from a calf problem.
*EUROPA LEAGUE: New Wigan manager Uwe Rosler will be looking to make an early impression as the Latics try to upset the odds and qualify for the knockout stages by beating Maribor tonight (6pm).
The Latics were beaten at home by Zulte Waregem last time out — a result which contributed to Owen Coyle losing his job — and they are third with a game to go.
They are in Maribor for their final clash and if they win and already-qualified Rubin Kazan beat Zulte in Belgium, they will go on to the knockout phase.
“For me this is the perfect opportunity, the perfect job,” Rosler said of his new challenge. “I believe I can fully fulfil my dreams and ambitions to end up where I was as a player; on top of English football.”
Ireland’s James McClean is suspended.
*PREMIER LEAGUE: Hull have formally applied to the FA to change their playing name to Hull Tigers from next season.
The move, being fought by a group of fans, has been prompted by owner Assem Allam, who believes the new name would be more commercially successful.
Allam has already changed the company name to Hull City Tigers but he needs the permission of the FA Council to change the club’s playing name, and the City Till We Die protest group is opposing the plans.
Allam has offered to refund season-ticket holders who are unhappy and has previously said he considers a Tigers brand to be more marketable, and the word “City” to be “lousy” and “common”.
Dubious goals panel backs Suarez claim
*PREMIER LEAGUE: Liverpool striker Luis Suarez has extended his lead as the Premier League’s top scorer after being awarded a second goal in last weekend’s 4-1 win over West Ham.
The Uruguay international’s strike from distance took a deflection off Joey O’Brien and went down as an own goal by the defender.
However, the Premier League’s dubious goals panel has decided the goal should be credited to Suarez. It takes the 26-year-old’s tally in the league to 15 — three better than Manchester City’s Sergio Aguero.
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