Gera leads casualty list
Tuesday, November 15, 2005
Article summary
News round-up: West Bromwich Albion FC's Hungary captain Zoltán Gera has gone under the knife on a busy day for physios across Europe.
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FC Schalke 04
Meanwhile, West Ham United FC's newly-appointed skipper Nigel Reo-Coker could also be unavailable until January after scans revealed that the English Under-21 international cracked a bone in his ankle during the Premiership win against West Bromwich Albion on 5 November. Reo-Coker could miss all of West Ham's busy December programme.
West Brom also have a key player injured after Hungary captain Zoltán Gera underwent groin surgery on an ongoing problem. Manager Bryan Robson said: "His rehab will probably take up to six weeks." The influential 26-year-old midfielder has been absent from the team since 1 October.
RCD Mallorca have extended the contract of prodigious 16-year-old Emilio Nsue until 2012. The striker is held in high regard by a number of leading European clubs, so Mallorca were keen to tie him to lengthy deal to ward off potential suitors.
Staying in Spain, RC Celta de Vigo have terminated the contract of José Ignacio Sáenz seven months before it was due to expire. Sáenz was one of two squad members not registered by the Galician club this season, forcing the 32-year-old midfielder and former Spanish international into annulling his deal so he can find another club.
The Málaga CF midfielder Marcelo Romero expects to be sidelined for two months after finally undergoing surgery on his troublesome right kneecap. The Uruguayan international suffered the injury on the opening day of the season and had hoped a combination of treatment and rest would cure the pain. However, medical staff said he had no option but to go under the knife.
Brazilian forward Igor de Souza Fonseca has returned to SC Braga after failing to settle during a loan spell at fellow Liga side CF Estrela da Amadora. The 25-year-old spent last term on loan at Vitória FC, winning the Portuguese Cup, and will now hope to finally seal a regular berth at the Estádio Municipal de Braga. The northern side lead the Liga after ten rounds of matches.
Newcastle United FC defender Steven Taylor could be sidelined for ten weeks with a shoulder injury. The 19-year-old, who has started eleven Premiership matches this season, injured his shoulder training with the England Under-21s last week. "The specialist says he will be out longer than first anticipated," manager Graeme Souness said. "It's about eight to ten weeks, but I'm confident he will be back before that."
German side Eintracht Frankfurt have extended their contract with Brazilian midfielder Chris by three years until summer 2009. The midfielder's original deal would have expired at the season's end. The 27-year-old is one of Eintracht's key performers, having played ten out of 12 Bundesliga matches this term.
Polish title contenders Legia Warszawa have signed a contract with striker Michal Gottwald until 30 June 2008. The 24-year-old Slovakian, who plays for MŠK Žilina, will join either next week or in the winter break. "Michael is a fast, strong and powerful forward who can shoot with either foot," Legia coach Dariusz Wdowczyk said.