Liverpool are likely to be without their influential midfielder Mohamed Sissoko for up to three months after confirmation last night that the Malian will require surgery next week on a dislocated shoulder.
Sissoko spent Wednesday night in a Birmingham hospital after Liverpool's 1-0 League Cup victory at St Andrew's. The 21-year-old fell awkwardly after a challenge with City's Mehdi Nafti.
"It's clear, with him out, we'll have to change something in the team," said Xabi Alonso as the team prepared for Sunday's trip to Arsenal. "There are times when we've played without him before and we've still managed to get good results.
"But now we will have to think of a new system and I'm sure Rafael Benitez will do something. Stevie Gerrard and I have played together in the middle a lot. Sometimes it has worked really well and other times we've had some problems."
El Hadji Diouf will play for Bolton at Sheffield United tomorrow after his arrest over allegations that he assaulted his wife, Valerie, at their home last weekend. The Senegal forward was bailed by Greater Manchester Police. "He's been the same as ever this week," said Bolton's assistant manager Sammy Lee. "I can't make light of what's gone on off the pitch, but the lad could not be faulted for his application and commitment during training and certainly during games."
Premiership chairmen yesterday relaxed the league's licensing rules, allowing promising managers access to jobs that are currently restricted. Under the old regulations, managers had to complete their Uefa Pro licence qualification before becoming top-flight managers.
Yesterday's amendment allows coaches to take managerial positions prior to being awarded the Pro licence, provided they have enrolled on the course. The case of the Middlesbrough manager, Gareth Southgate, is not materially affected by the ruling. It will be decided at a board meeting in a fortnight.
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