Bayern Munich midfielder Toni Kroos could be out for two months after picking up an injury in their Champions League match against Juventus on Tuesday.
Kroos went down in the 14th minute of the quarter-final first leg tie and the injury was worse than it first looked.
Team doctor Hans-Wilhelm Mueller-Wohlfahrt said the Germany international had probably ruptured an adductor muscle in his right hip and could be out for six to eight weeks, effectively ending his season for his club.
“This is a severe blow,” said coach Jupp Heynckes. “A lot will be decided over the next two months.”
Liverpool set for Down Under trip
Liverpool will play their first match in Australia on July 24 when they meet Melbourne Victory in a pre-season friendly at the 100,000 capacity Melbourne Cricket Ground.
As the club where Australian Craig Johnston made his name in the 1980s and where Socceroo Harry Kewell later won the Champions League, Liverpool have a huge following Down Under and a bumper crowd will be expected for the match.
“Liverpool is one of the most famous clubs on the planet and the fact that they’ve opted to play Melbourne Victory on their first ever tour to Australia is great recognition for our club and the progress we’ve made in our short history,” said Anthony Di Pietro, chairman of the A-League club.
Heskey extends Jets contract
Former England striker Emile Heskey has signed up for another year at Australian club Newcastle Jets after scoring nine goals in 23 appearances in his debut A-League campaign.
The Jets, who are owned by financially troubled mining mogul Nathan Tinkler, failed to reach the play-offs this year after finishing eighth in the league.
“I’m pleased to be extending my stay in Newcastle for another year,” Heskey said.
“Everyone has made me feel welcome here and I’ve enjoyed my first season with the Jets.”
Ronaldinho, Pato in Brazil squad
Ronaldinho and Pato have been recalled to Brazil’s squad for Saturday’s friendly away to Bolivia in aid of the family of a young fan killed by a flare at a Libertadores Cup match last month.
Coach Luiz Felipe Scolari also included Santos ace Neymar and several untested youngsters in an experimental 18-man list for the match in Santa Cruz de la Sierra in Bolivia.
Atletico Mineiro’s Ronaldinho, picked for the friendly against England last month, lost his place to Kaka in later matches against Italy and Russia after playing poorly in a 2-1 defeat at Wembley.
Tevez handed community service
Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez was handed 250 hours of community service, banned from driving for six months and fined £1,000 ($1,500) for driving offences.
Tevez, 29, pleaded guilty at Macclesfield Magistrates’ Court to driving while disqualified and without insurance.
The Argentina striker was arrested at the start of March and released on police bail. Tevez, who was banned from driving in January, was stopped by police driving in Macclesfield near Manchester.
Passing sentence, chair of the bench Elizabeth Depares told the defendant: “Mr Tevez, you must realise you are a role model to thousands, if not millions, of fans but nobody is above the law.
“You should not have been driving.”
Messi injury not bad as first feared
Lionel Messi will miss this weekend’s La Liga match at home to Real Mallorca with a right hamstring injury and will then return to action depending on the speed of his recovery, Barcelona said after tests yesterday.
The World Player of the Year limped off at half-time in Barca’s 2-2 Champions League quarter-final first leg draw away to Paris St Germain on Tuesday and is doubtful for next Wednesday’s return at the Nou Camp.
Reports said he would be out of action for about three weeks.
His team-mate, defender Javier Mascherano, was carried off on a stretcher in Paris and has been ruled out for six weeks with knee ligament damage.
Rodgers sure Reina will stay
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers is confident Jose Reina will still be at the club next season.
Persistent rumours have linked Reina with a move away from Merseyside this summer but Rodgers has seen no signs that the Spaniard is set to leave.
The Reds boss told reporters: “He’s never been unsettled and our relationship is very strong. I have given him and a few of the senior boys real responsibility and I think they have enjoyed that.
“I see him as someone who is going to be here. He is 30 years of age and is someone who looks after his body. The sports science team this year have worked really well with him.”