EVERTON FEAR their influential midfielder Tim Cahill could miss the rest of the season with a recurrence of a metatarsal injury after the Australian international limped out of Saturday's draw against West Ham United.
Cahill, who aggravated a metatarsal fracture last summer and missed the opening three months of the season, pulled up early in the 1-1 draw at Goodison Park. Everton's medical department were still examining the extent of the problem yesterday but, if their worst fears are realised, Cahill, who has scored 10 goals this season despite his injury problems, faces another extended spell on the sidelines.
Arsenal's striker Eduardo is to visit his native Brazil to receive treatment on the fractured fibula and dislocated ankle he sustained in the match against Birmingham City last month.
Eduardo, born in Rio de Janiero but capped 22 times by Croatia, will step up his recuperation in South America and his national manager, Slaven Bilic, is hopeful the striker, along with the retired Dado Prso, will join the squad when they contest the European Championship. "In a couple of weeks he will go to Brazil," said Bilic, who also affirmed that he expects to remain in his current job beyond the summer, "not just because it is his home but because they have one of the best rehabilitation centres in the world. It is the other players' wish, and his wish, that he will join us (for Euro 2008), along with Dado."
Meanwhile, Javier Mascherano continued to plead his innocence yesterday over his controversial dismissal against Manchester United as the English Football Association prepared to charge the Liverpool midfielder for his show of dissent at Old Trafford.
The FA is expected to charge the Argentina international with improper conduct today following his furious reaction to being sent off by the referee, Steve Bennett, on Sunday and his refusal to leave the field of play. The charge could bring an additional two-match ban for Mascherano, who is automatically suspended from this Sunday's Merseyside derby with Everton at Anfield, and may be fast-tracked to ensure the ban continues without interruption.
That would suspend the €23 million midfielder from Liverpool's league visit to Arsenal on April 5th and the following weekend's home game against Blackburn Rovers.
Though Mascherano has apologised to his team-mates, the Liverpool midfielder maintains he was dealt with harshly at Old Trafford. Speaking from Egypt, where he is on international duty with Argentina, Mascherano insisted: "I do not know why I was sent off. I asked the referee what was happening. I did not swear, I was not aggressive and I did not confront him. All I did was ask him what was happening, nothing else."
- Guardian Service
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