Wilshere's Return to Arsenal Action

Arsenal's 20 year-old midfielder Jack Wilshere had the worst possible start to his season, after being told during the clubs pre-season schedule that he will be out for at least the first half of the competitive season requiring surgery to correct a stress fracture in his right ankle.

Four months on, and Arsenal have been given a major boost with news that Jack Wilshere is thankfully close to a return from his unfortunate injury. The Arsenal medical team are hoping to have the English midfielder back in first team training later this month or early in February, meaning he will be available for Arsenal's push for the top four in the League and progression in Europe during the second half of the season.

His rehabilitation process will of course include at least a few weeks of training to get back to match fitness and regain his footballing sharpness, so he will obviously not be thrown into first team action immediately but will rather be slowly introduced back into the side in stages. Wenger will be hoping that Wilshere is available for Arsenal's clash with Blackburn on February 4th or Sunderland a week later with the possibility of playing a part in the clubs first leg Champions League second round game against AC Milan on the 15th.

Arsenal cannot afford to take anymore risks with Wilshere's fitness, as it is likely that Wenger overplaying the youngster last season caused the players stress fracture. The problem is caused by "unusual or repeated stress" and also heavy continuous weight on the ankle or leg - in Wilshere's case, the ankle. Wilshere's "stress fracture" will not have appeared suddenly, but over time through repeated traumas, which when added together, week in, week out of playing football, were enough to cause severe pain to the ankle.

He appeared in an amazing 49 games last season in all competitions, which shows the importance of the young midfielder. His aggressive style of play, combined with his excellent vision and ability to find a pass and link up play from defence to attack has been missed at Arsenal, and his return will be hugely welcome on the back of two successive disappointing results against Fulham and Swansea.

Arsenal face Manchester United on Sunday, and on the back of a loss to newly promoted Swansea, Wenger has called on his side to "wake up" and "be focused" as they hope to exact at least some revenge on the side which hit eight past them at Old Trafford earlier in the season. The Arsenal manager said: "It is a massive opportunity [next Sunday] because you feel we have given six points away in the last two games in a way that is unbelievable. It is time for us to wake up and be focused."

A huge problem which was apparent against both Fulham and Swansea was Arsenal's defensive frailties. Having scored an equalizer through Theo Walcott, the side then conceded seconds later thanks to a severe lack of focus and naivety at the back. They cannot afford that against Manchester United, and will hope to avoid mistakes with key defenders such as Thomas Vermaelen and Bacary Sagna hopeful of a return.

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Xabi Alonso Open To Liverpool Return

Real Madrid midfielder Xabi Alonso has revealed that he cannot rule out a return to Liverpool.

The World Cup winning midfielder is happy in Madrid, but is open to a future return to Anfield.

The 29 year old told liverpoolfc.tv: “Why not? I think that in football so many things change, and why not? I have my red passion and if circumstances arrived then why not?

“At the moment I don’t know what is going to happen, but it could be a possibility. Never say never.”

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Guus Hiddink Close To Chelsea Return

Reports are out claiming that Guus Hiddink is edging closer to a return to Chelsea.

The Daily Mail has revealed that publicly, Hiddink’s agent declared that he would not be available until Turkey’s European Championship qualifying campaign ends in October.

However it is said that the Dutch tactician is likely to be sacked if his side fail to beat Belgium in Brussels on Friday week.

Hiddink is then expected to return to Stamford Bridge for the role he occupied on a temporary basis in 2009.

According to sources close to Hiddink, the man who guided PSV Eindhoven to European Cup glory in 1988 has even been given permission in principle by Roman Abramovich to work as an advisor to Ajax while operating as Chelsea’s manager.

There was a very obvious shift in the attitude of the Turks on Monday, as there was from Hiddink’s agent, Cees van Nieuwenhuizen.

Until now, both had dismissed suggestions that Hiddink could return to Chelsea but senior Turkey national team communications manager Turker Tozar said: “At this stage, we will leave everything to Mr Hiddink and if he sees the need to speak about this issue, he will do this personally. We have a press conference on May 27. If he wishes to comment on these rumours or leaks, he will do it.’

Pressed on whether they would refuse any approach for Hiddink from Chelsea, Tozar added: “Last month, our vice-president was asked and he said we had long-term plans with Mr Hiddink.

“If there are new issues, Hiddink will talk about this.”

Asked whether his client had completely ruled out a club management role as his next move, Van Nieuwenhuizen said: “I don’t know that you can say that.”

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Ronaldo to return to Corinthians

Legendary Brazilian striker Ronaldo is to return to play for Corinthians, according to the club's president Andres Sanchez.



Ronaldo retired from the game three months ago and has been pursuing a new career in player management and acting. However, he is set for a shock return to the pitch and is expected to be offered a contract with Corinthians into mid-2012.



"Ronaldo is going to play again. I don't know if he will play three, four or five games, but he will be back," Sanchez told Lance.






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Roy Keane Ready To Return To Management

Roy Keane has declared that he is ready to return to management.

Keane, who has dismissed talk of working in Australia or New Zealand as “nonsense” says he is enjoying his longest break from the game but could be ready to make a return next season.

The former Northern Ireland midfielder has admitted that he has learned mistakes from his spell at Ipswich Town.

Keane told the Daily Mail: “I want a club to take to the very top. Sunderland was so close, even in my third season there, we just had a few poor results which every manager goes through.

“I am a young manager, and you are always learning tactically. I would have to look at my staff, that is a vital part of football management, and you need to work with good players, that helps. And we had some really good players at Sunderland.

“You need good characters. I would learn from my mistakes particularly at Ipswich and I think potentially I could be a good manager. But potential is one thing. Going out and doing it is something very different.

“If you don’t make mistakes, you never learn. I had a three month break after Sunderland and Ipswich felt right. My only regret is I agreed to take it before I met the chief executive, I won’t be doing that again.

“Sometimes the DNA doesn’t work and doesn’t suit. Look at Roy Hodgson, and I’m not comparing myself to him, but him at Liverpool, the dynamics were not right and Ipswich in the end was just not right and the chief executive role is vital when you are working with someone so closely.

“I have been out for a couple of months and I am enjoying my bit of time off because part of my problem, is when I am involved, I am involved 100 per cent and that takes its toll on you; not that I am going to keel over but it is time to re-charge the batteries and take stock and see what is round the corner.

“A club might give me an opportunity but if it doesn’t come I have some freedom and I will make the most of that.”

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Inter boss Leonardo brushes off Mourinho return rumours

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Inter coach Leonardo has brushed aside speculation that Jose Mourinho could return to the club in the summer.



Real Madrid coach Mourinho has been linked with a return to the San Siro where he won the unprecedented Treble of Serie A, Coppa Italia and Champions League last season.



Inter have struggled since Mourinho's departure to Real Madrid, with Rafael Benitez departing despite winning the Club World Cup in December. New boss Leonardo enjoyed a promising start to his tenure, but last week Inter were knocked out of the Champions League by Schalke, while they they currently sit third in Serie A, eight points adrift of his former club and league leaders Milan.



"I am not worried about these rumours,'' Leonardo said. "I'm not thinking about the future. I live in the present. I don't even think about these things.



"I have an open rapport with the club president (Massimo Moratti). He knows me, knows what I think and the only thing that interests me is to find a solution so that the team wins.''



Leonardo was speaking after Tuesday night's 1-0 win at Roma in the first leg of the Coppa Italia semi-finals.



"It was important to halt the negative run of results," he continued. "It wasn't easy, especially after our Champions League elimination.



"But against Roma we showed maturity and we took an important result - something that is not easy to do in Rome. Now we must continue to win. We still have five league games and the Coppa Italia and we need to remain lucid and calm.''




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Gareth Bale Close To Tottenham Return

Good news for all Tottenham fans as it has been revealed that Gareth Bale is winning his fight to be fit for Spurs’ Real Madrid clash.

However Spurs boss Harry Redknapp has admitted that is the only plus on a grim injury list that has ravaged his squad.

Spurs take on Wigan tomorrow at the DW Stadium before Tuesday’s Champions League battle in the Bernabeu.

And Redknapp revealed: “Gareth looked OK on Thursday. Whether he is OK to play two games inside four days is doubtful. We will decide which way to go by leaving any fitness test late.

“I’d love to have him fit for both but if he isn’t fully fit then he can’t play.”

The 21 year old winger pulled out of Wales’ 2-0 defeat by England with a hamstring problem.

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Martin Demichelis Wants Bayern Munich Return

Reports are out claiming that Malaga defender Martin Demichelis is considering his options.

The Argentine defender is said to be eyeing a return to Bayern Munich.

“I am certain that we will stay up because there is a lot of quality in the team, but if we don’t manage it, against all expectations, and the new Bayern coach wants me, then I can certainly imagine a return to Munich,” he told the Bild newspaper.

“If we don’t stay up, then I would have no problems about coming home.”

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Ancelotti open to Milan return

Carlo Ancelotti has ruled out managing Internazionale, but the Chelsea boss has admitted he would not turn down the chance to return to Milan.



Ancelotti had a glorious career as a player and manager with Milan - guiding the Rossoneri to Champions League success in 2003 and 2007.



He joined Chelsea in 2009 and led them to Premier League and FA Cup success last term, but this season, after a dip in form, has been linked with a return to Italy.



"Would I go to Inter in place of Leonardo? No," Ancelotti told Il Giorno. "I've spent 13 years at Milan, for me it is impossible to ignore the past.



"Moratti [Inter president, Massimo] has been thinking about me? I thank him for the kind words but I'm an AC Milan man. In the event that Moratti calls me in the future, I'll politely decline the invitation."



The Italian insists he is focused on his role with Chelsea, but admits that Milan hold a place in his heart.



"I am not thinking about returning to AC Milan," he said. "I'm at Chelsea. But if one day [club chief Silvio] Berlusconi or someone from AC Milan calls, I would not think for a moment to say yes, because certain relationships and certain victories will never be forgotten."






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Barcelona set date for Abidal's return to training

Barcelona say Eric Abidal could return to light training in four weeks after undergoing surgery on a tumour in his liver.



Abidal has now returned home after being discharged from hospital on Wednesday afternoon.



The Catalan club's medical team said in a statement: "The player was discharged from hospital ... and is now resting at home. The post operation process has been satisfactory in all aspects and no complications have occurred.



"[Abidal] will continue the recovery process at home and it is estimated that he will be able to begin physical exercise in four weeks' time and then later to rejoin the squad training sessions."




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Mourinho signals intention to return to England

Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho has again reiterated his desire to return to England.



The former Chelsea boss has often spoken of his love for the English game and despite enjoying great success since leaving Stamford Bridge, most notably with Inter with whom he won the treble last season, Mourinho is relishing a return to the Premier League.



"I miss England and my next job will be in England," he told The Sun.



"There is unfinished business.



"And I think England wants me back, no? It was the most enjoyable time of my career.



"My Chelsea time was amazing as a football manager and family man. My family and I enjoyed it so much. We made so many friends here. We still keep in touch, we still come back.



"In football there are a few victories here I would like to repeat. I will talk to my agent and get a project for my career.



"I still have three years at Real Madrid. It is the biggest club in the world but it is also the most difficult club in the world.



"They came to me for the third time and I could not say no to them for the third time - I had to go.



"And I had to go to Italy, that was important for me because I wanted to try there. Everyone said it was the home of tactics so I said let me try there.



"But it is not England, England is special. People in Italy, Spain and Portugal ask me why I love England so much and I can't explain - I just do.



"I want to be happy in my work. I want to be happy with my football."




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Lehmann to Return to Arsenal

Jens Lehmann could soon become one of very few current Arsenal players to have lifted any silverware wearing the Arsenal kit. Lehmann won several trophies at Arsenal; the Premier League, the FA Cup, the Community Shield and claimed Champions League runners up medal. 

Arsenal have not won a major trophy since the German left Arsenal, and whats more, when Lehmann won the Premier League with Arsenal in 2004, it was done so without losing a single match. His anticipated return to Arsenal comes too late to repeat this feat, just as it is unlikely for the achievement to be completed again, but his experience in abundance and leadership qualities could prove vital in a title race with all too familiar rivals.

Lehmann is reportedly in talks with Arsenal over a short term move to solve Arsenal's current goalkeeping crisis. Wojciech Szczesny, Lukas Fabianski and Vito Mannone are all injured and therefore unavailable, leaving only Manuel Almunia to occupy the goal. Of course you only need one goalkeeper on the pitch at one time, but suppose Almunia were to pick up an injury - which considering Arsenal's current bad luck seems unfortunately likely. They need another keeper, and Lehmann could be a perfectly satisfactory solution.

It is ironic that upon Lehmann's supposed return to Arsenal, Manuel Almunia will be ahead of him in the pecking order. During his Arsenal days, Lehman became increasingly frustrated with the fact that Almunia was chosen ahead of him, and complained to Wenger about it;

"My coach confirmed my impression that he uses a different measuring stick to evaluate [Manuel] Almunia. For me this was a disappointment. It's very frustrating. When I see the performances on the field, I get angry and I have to clench my fist in my pocket."

That was said in 2007, and it looks as if four year on, Lehmann will return with his fist clenched firmly in his pockets. However, it is a nice situation for him to be in - returning from retirement to a club which he earned close to 200 appearance for, and helped to several (now rare) trophies. He could also help the current, still relatively inexperienced squad during the final stages of this incredibly tight title race.

It's a win - win situation isn't it? Well, unless the form of the end of his Arsenal career returns, and upon playing his first football game in a while if Almunia doesn't start, makes a crucial, title losing mistake.



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