Everton ponder Pistone problem

Everton FC defender Alessandro Pistone will be out of action for around a month after straining his hamstring.

Hamstring strain
The Italian sustained the injury to his right leg in the English side's 2-0 victory against Aston Villa FC in the Premiership on Saturday. "It will be several weeks and we will take our time with Sandro," said Everton physiotherapist Mick Rathbone.

Coleman caution
Elsewhere in England, Fulham FC manager Chris Coleman has had to delay his return to work once again as his recovery from an unexplained illness is taking longer than expected. The 33-year-old has spent a week in hospital with a mystery virus, and was initially expected to be released last Thursday, but that date was then adjusted to the start of this week.

Defensive problems
Hannover 96 will be without Brazilian defender Vinicius for the next six weeks after scans revealed he suffered serious calf damage in the 3-1 defeat by Hertha BSC Berlin on Sunday. The 23-year-old has torn tissue between the calf muscle and the shinbone. His absence gives Hannover coach Ralf Rangnick a defensive problem ahead of their next match against VfL Borussia Mönchengladbach, for which both Kleber and Kostas Konstantinidis are suspended.