Van Persie looks to return before end of the season

SOCCER SHORTS:ROBIN VAN Persie hopes he could yet feature for the final few matches of the season.

The Netherlands forward has been on the sidelines since suffering what turned out to be a serious ankle injury while away on international duty during November.

Van Persie, who had scored eight goals in 15 appearances before his setback, has made a good recovery, and is now set to return to London to complete his rehabilitation.

"I am medically fit, but physically I have to gain, only then can I train with the full group," van Persie said.

"For a few weeks I have been training with the ball and it looks good.

"I still hope I can take part in the final phase of the league and hopefully the Champions League [semi-finals]. This has been my goal from the beginning.

"My first goal is to play for Arsenal.

"When I said that a few months ago, I looked crazy, but as it stands now, that will happen – only then can I think about the World Cup."

Goalkeeper punched out

JUVENTUS GOALKEEPER Antonio Chimenti broke his hand on Sunday by punching a table in the dressingroom.

Chimenti lashed out in frustration after Antonio Cassano’s 77th-minute goal handed Sampdoria a 1-0 victory over Juventus.

“I was very upset, I was first back into the dressingroom and I vented my anger with a punch on the table,” said Chimenti.

“Unfortunately I broke my hand.”

Arsenal appeal Vermaelen red card

ARSENAL HAVE appealed against the red card shown to Thomas Vermaelen in Saturday’s match against West Ham. The club confirmed their challenge to the decision and the appeal will be heard today.

Defender Vermaelen was ordered off shortly before half-time for bringing down Guillermo Franco inside the penalty area.

Arsenal were leading 1-0 and went on to win 2-0, with West Ham’s Alessandro Diamanti missing the penalty which followed Vermaelen’s dismissal.

A statement from the Football Association on Arsenal’s website said: “The FA has received a claim for wrongful dismissal from Arsenal defender Thomas Vermaelen.

“Vermaelen was shown a red card for denying an obvious goalscoring opportunity during Arsenal’s match against West Ham United on Saturday, March 20th. “

Inquiry into Kirkland incident

THE ENGLISH Football Association have launched an investigation after Wigan goalkeeper Chris Kirkland was struck by a missile from the crowd on Saturday.

Kirkland was hit by an object, believed to be a coin, thrown from the away section during Wigan’s Premier League clash at home to Burnley. The FA will speak to referee Mike Jones and his officials after reading his report and both clubs will be contacted for their observations. A spokesman said: “The first priority from our point of view would be ensuring any individual responsible was identified.” Kirkland was struck on the top of the head in the 53rd minute of the contest, which was won 1-0 by Wigan with an injury-time Hugo Rodallega goal. Play was held up for a period as the 28-year-old received treatment.

McCarthy puts pressure on

WOLVES MANAGER Mick McCarthy has turned the pressure up on West Ham ahead of tonight’s crucial Premier League game at Upton Park (Sky Sports 2).

West Ham trail Wolves by a point after losing their last four games and are the surprise team in this season’s relegation battle.

McCarthy believes all the pressure will be on Gianfranco Zola’s side and feels victory would have a real impact on Wolves’ survival hopes.

McCarthy said: “It is their home game and they will be expected to beat us. In this fixture the pressure is on them.

“You can all do the maths. If we win this it will put a real dent in West Ham and it would certainly put some real daylight between us and Burnley and Hull.

“What would it do to us psychologically? What would it do to the rest of them psychologically? If we don’t lose it would be a hell of a result for us. It is a huge game but more so for West Ham. But it won’t be easy, that’s for sure.”

Liverpool in talks with Mascherano

CONTRACT TALKS with Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano are edging closer to a resolution but manager Rafael Benitez accepts there is still a little more work to do.

The two parties have been talking over a new deal for the Argentina captain for some time and Benitez is confident the matter will be resolved to both their satisfaction.

Mascherano, whose current contract still has nearly two years to run, was a target for Barcelona last summer and Liverpool are keen to tie him to a new long-term contract to prevent another close season of speculation, especially in a World Cup year. “We were talking, progressing and we’re closer now. Still we need to talk a little bit but we are closer,” said Benitez.

“It would be very important for the club. We have some important players with some years left on their contracts and this could be another one.

“It’s very important that we’re keeping the spine of the team.”