Soccer Shorts

Today's other stories in brief

No decision on Drogba

Chelsea manager Avram Grant insists no decision has yet been taken on whether striker Didier Drogba will undergo an operation to solve a knee problem. The Ivory Coast international is set to miss today's Premier League clash with Sunderland and will probably not be required for next week's Champions League clash with Valencia as Chelsea are already assured of qualification for the next phase.

But as the game after that is away to leaders Arsenal the Chelsea hierarchy are desperate to be able to field the striker. The player's own priorities are understood to be slightly different, however, as Drogba is keen to be fit in time to lead the Ivory Coast into the African Nations Cup competition, which starts next month.

Lehmann 'staying'

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has denied that goalkeeper Jens Lehmann is set for a return to Germany in the January transfer window. The 38-year-old has fallen behind Manuel Almunia in the pecking order at the Emirates Stadium this season and has not featured in the starting XI since the 1-1 draw with Blackburn on August 19th. On rumours that Lehmann will be on his way, Wenger said: "No, it's not true. It's only newspaper talk because nothing concrete has been discussed between me and Jens and nothing between me and Wolfsburg."

Setback for Neville

Manchester United captain Gary Neville has had his latest comeback plans shelved after suffering another injury blow. Neville, who has not played since March because of an ankle problem, had been scheduled to return in United's final Champions League group game at AS Roma next Wednesday. However, the 32-year-old England defender has suffered a complication with the injury in training and is set for a further spell on the sidelines.

United manager Alex Ferguson described the problem as a "niggle" and stressed that the latest injury is not serious.

City eye Adriano

Manchester City have confirmed they want to sign Inter Milan's Brazilian striker Adriano. The 25-year-old, once one of the most feared strikers in Serie A, has hardly featured for the last two seasons after battling fitness problems. But he has been attending a training camp in Sao Paulo in a bid to regain peak condition.

Uefa inquiry launched

Uefa have opened disciplinary proceedings against Anderlecht after Tottenham's Didier Zokora appeared to be struck by lighter thrown from the crowd during the Uefa Cup clash on Thursday night.

Spurs goalkeeper Paul Robinson also picked up a metal rod which he handed to the fourth official after the final whistle of the 1-1 draw in Brussels.