More soccer news in brief.
CHELSEA:Michael Essien is to have an operation next week, probably in France, after rupturing an anterior cruciate knee ligament that could keep him out for over five months.
Essien has carried the problem since pre-season, and although he played against Spurs, he was seen to repeatedly grab the knee during the game. He had been checked over by Chelsea before he left but he was forced off after 22 minutes of Ghana's defeat in Libya last Friday.
WEST HAM:West Ham United expect to announce the appointment of Gianfranco Zola as their manager today, with the Italian prepared to add to the contingent of former Chelsea players at Upton Park by considering appointing either Steve Clarke or Pierluigi Casiraghi as his assistant.
UNDER-21s:Ipswich midfielder Owen Garvan scored twice in the second half to rescue the Republic of Ireland's under-21s from 2-0 down against Portugal in Madeira yesterday.
Ireland's attempts to qualify for the 2009 Uefa finals had already come to an end after a disappointing campaign, but Garvan's brace ensured their final fixture ended on a positive note.
