Anelka faces spell on sidelines

Fa Barclaycard Premiership News
( 24 March 2009 )

English Premier League football News

Anelka faces spell on sidelines
Chelsea striker Nicolas Anelka faces a three-week spell on the sidelines because of a toe injury, according to the French Football Federation.

Anelka, 30, played the full 90 minutes of Chelsea's 1-0 Premier League defeat at Tottenham on Saturday.

He was assessed by the France squad's medics before being replaced for the World Cup qualifiers with Lithuania.

Chelsea have yet to comment but Anelka may miss the games against Newcastle on 4 April and Liverpool on 8 April.

Anelka is currently the top scorer in the Premier League this season with 15 goals but his last strike came against Aston Villa on 21 February in Guus Hiddink's first match in charge of the Blues.

However, if he is sidelined for his club, the forward's loss should be tempered by the recent return to fitness and form of Didier Drogba.
by bbcnews.

English Premier League football News

Injured Adebayor in Togo's squad
Arsenal's Emmanuel Adebayor has been called up to the Togo squad for this weekend's World Cup qualifier against Cameroon, despite being injured.

The striker, who has been out for six weeks with a hamstring injury, could be at the centre of a club-versus-country row if he plays.

The 25-year-old is not due to return to first-team action with Arsenal until after the international break.

But his club have confirmed he will travel to Africa for Saturday's clash.

Togo are likely to use the presence of Adebayor in the squad to boost team morale and it remains doubtful he will play.

Arsene Wenger is expected to monitor whether his striker makes an appearance.

Wenger expects to have Adebayor back for the club's Champions League and English Premier League campaigns after the international break.

Saturday's tie is Togo's opening Group A game in the final round of qualifiers for the World Cup and Africa Cup of Nations.
by bbcnews.