A round-up of today's other stories in brief
Lennon resigned to the loss of Feruz
CELTIC'S manager, Neil Lennon, claims that Islam Feruz has had his head turned as the Somalia-born teenager prepares to sign scholarship terms with Chelsea.
Feruz and his family became refugees in Glasgow a decade ago and his talent was noticed at the age of 12 by Celtic, who moved Feruz and his parents into accommodation in the west end of Glasgow.
Yet having just turned 16, and in a matter Lennon believes owes more to agents than the player himself, Feruz is now expected to pen an initial €2,200-a-week deal at Stamford Bridge.
“I don’t know what the latest situation is with him,” said Lennon. “But suffice to say he won’t be a Celtic player. I think he’s been badly advised. . . the club has been so good to him. We’ve looked after him and his family very well but his head’s been turned, obviously.”
Norwich secure first home win
NORWICH 2 SUNDERLAND 1:
Norwich recorded their first home Premier League victory as Sunderland were made to pay for some slack defending in a 2-1 defeat at Carrow Road last night.
Centre-back Leon Barnett put Norwich, who had won at Bolton last week, in front in the 31st minute after winger Elliott Bennett skipped into the right side of the penalty area.
Wales forward Steve Morison powered in a bullet header at the start of the second half after Sunderland were again caught napping at the back, before substitute Kieran Richardson set up a tense finale when he drilled in a late consolation.
Cech survives another injury scare
PETR Cech has revealed he was so dazed after the head injury he suffered against Fulham in the League Cup last Wednesday that he could not stand up at half-time.
The Chelsea goalkeeper, who has worn a protective helmet ever since the clash with Stephen Hunt in 2006, collided with Fulham’s Orlando Sa just before the interval of the third-round tie at Stamford Bridge, which Chelsea won on penalties.
He was able to carry on until half-time but, once inside the dressing room, his vision became scrambled and he was taken straight to hospital. Happily for Cech, the scan revealed nothing more serious than concussion.
“At half-time, as soon as I sat down, I couldn’t stand up. I went to hospital and had a scan. With my history, they were not taking any chances.”
However Cech was fit to start against Swansea at the weekend following a late fitness test.
Blow for Arsenal as Wilshere faces long absence
ARSENAL and England midfielder Jack Wilshere will be sidelined for a period of between four and five months following surgery to remedy a stress fracture to his right ankle.
Wilshere has not featured for Arsenal in a competitive game this season after suffering the injury in a pre-season friendly against the New York Red Bulls at the Emirates Stadium.
Wilshere had initially hoped that the problem would not require surgery but the club confirmed last week that an operation would be necessary.
There was further bad news earlier in the day when striker Robin van Persie revealed he was in no hurry to commit his long-term future to the club.
The 28-year-old is understood to have sought assurances from manager Arsene Wenger over the club’s future following the sales of Cesc Fabregas to Barcelona and Samir Nasri, who refused to extend his contract and was sold to Manchester City.
