A round-up of today's other stories in brief
Fabregas may be back to face Chelsea next weekend
ARSENE Wenger is cautiously optimistic Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas could be fit to play against Premier League leaders Chelsea next weekend.
The Spain midfielder suffered a hamstring injury as he netted a freak goal at Sunderland last Saturday – the ball was kicked into him by Anton Ferdinand and it looped back into the goal.
Fabregas had just been finding his form having returned late after playing in the World Cup finals, but after receiving specialist treatment in Paris, the 23-year-old could now be back in action for the trip to Stamford Bridge on Sunday, October 3rd.
Wenger said: “I hope that he will be ready for the Chelsea match and that he will be fine. But at the moment we don’t know, it’s too early.”
With England defender Kieran Gibbs having joined Theo Walcott, Robin van Persie and Nicklas Bendtner on the sidelines, the news of Fabregas’ potential quick return is a timely boost.
McCartney links up with Leeds
SUNDERLAND defender George McCartney has joined Championship side Leeds on loan.
The 29-year-old Northern Ireland international will spend the next month at Elland Road after struggling to command a first-team place at the Stadium of Light.
Left back McCartney, who has 34 senior international caps, began his career on Wearside before moving to West Ham in August 2006.
He returned to Sunderland under Roy Keane in September 2008, but injuries have limited his participation in recent months.
MIDFIELDER Jake Livermore has agreed to join Ipswich Town on loan until January from Tottenham.
The 20-year-old, who played 45 minutes in Spurs League Cup defeat by Arsenal on Tuesday, is available for tomorrow’s Championship trip to Scunthorpe.
Celtic and Rangers draw top-tier sides
HOLDERS Rangers and Glasgow rivals Celtic have both been drawn away to top-tier sides in the quarter-finals of the Scottish League Cup.
And Falkirk, the only non-Scottish Premier League side left, must travel to Pittodrie to take on Aberdeen.
Rangers visit Kilmarnock’s Rugby Park, while Celtic take on St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park.
Motherwell host Dundee United in the last of the ties, to be played on Tuesday, October 26th and Wednesday, October 27th.
First Division side Falkirk caused the upset of the third round by knocking out Hearts in a 4-3 thriller.
Aberdeen almost followed their SPL rivals out of the competition but fought back from 2-1 down to defeat Raith Rovers at Pittodrie.
QUARTER-FINAL DRAW – Aberdeen v Falkirk; St Johnstone v Celtic; Motherwell v Dundee Utd; Kilmarnock v Rangers.
Harper will be out for 12 weeks
NEWCASTLE revealed last night they expect Steve Harper to be out of action for around 12 weeks after undergoing shoulder surgery.
The 35-year-old sustained the injury in Saturday’s 1-0 Premier League victory at Everton in a first-half incident involving Everton striker Jermaine Beckford.
Beckford was booked for the challenge by referee Andre Marriner. Although the tackle was not a particularly bad one, it ended the involvement in the game of Harper, who landed heavily on his left shoulder.
A Newcastle spokesman last night said: “Following a shoulder ligament injury sustained in United’s game against Everton last Saturday, Steve Harper has undergone a successful operation which took place yesterday.
“It is likely that Steve will be unavailable for selection for a period of around 12 weeks.”
The player is unlikely to figure again until the middle of December – and is likely to mean an extended run in the side for Tim Krul.
Bramble returns after bail release
SUNDERLAND defender Titus Bramble is in line to return to action on the pitch after being bailed by police investigating an allegation of rape. The 29-year-old hit the headlines after being arrested in connection with an incident at a Newcastle hotel.
Chairman Niall Quinn has insisted Bramble, a summer signing from Wigan, is innocent and manager Steve Bruce yesterday added his backing.
The player missed Tuesday night’s 2-1 League Cup defeat by West Ham with a slight knock, but trained yesterday after being questioned by police and is in line to start tomorrow’s Premier League clash with Liverpool at Anfield.
Bruce said: “He wanted to be in this morning and he wants to go and put the record straight. He wishes he could, but legally we can’t.
“But we want the case resolved and I just want to reiterate what Niall said, that we are all behind him, we are all 100 per cent convinced he has got nothing to do with this allegation.”
Matthaeus plots Berbatov return
NEW Bulgaria coach Lothar Matthaeus has targeted qualification for the Euro 2012 finals as his main objective and would like Dimitar Berbatov back to lead the charge.
Matthaeus said: “I am going to try to catch up on what has been lost, we want to finish at least second in our (Euro 2012 qualifying) group.”
The German said he also planned to hold talks with striker Berbatov, who quit the international team in May.
Kalou and Benayoun out for 'weeks'
SALOMON Kalou and Yossi Benayoun are facing a few weeks on the sidelines after picking up injuries in Chelsea’s League Cup defeat by Newcastle United.
Ivory Coast forward Kalou hurt his thigh just 10 minutes after coming on as a half-time substitute against the Magpies, while Benayoun’s departure with a calf problem left Chelsea with 10 men.
Both players seem certain to miss tomorrow’s trip to Manchester City where Chelsea will be looking to maintain their 100 per cent start in the Premier League.
Gael Kakuta also suffered an injury in the 4-3 home loss to Newcastle and Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti is awaiting confirmation of the extent of the problems.
“Kakuta had a problem on his leg after the tackle in first half while Benayoun’s injury is his calf and Kalou hurt his thigh,” said Ancelotti.
“We will know more tomorrow, but they don’t look good. They will miss the next few games.”
