Van Gaal's wheel deal at AZ

AZ Alkmaar coach Louis van Gaal is to conduct training sessions with the help of a golf buggy after breaking his ankle and fibula in an ill-fated pole vault demonstration.

Nasty accident
The 56-year-old coach attended a reunion of his old sporting academy in Amsterdam last Friday but was taken to hospital for surgery after sustaining a nasty injury while attempting a pole vault. The coach has been ordered to spend three weeks in a wheelchair and several more in a plaster cast, making training difficult. However, a golf club have loaned him a buggy to make Van Gaal's task in training with the UEFA Cup group stage contenders easier.

Buggy expert
A keen golfer in his spare time, Van Gaal welcomed the generous offer, saying: "This really is a great idea. I know how it works as when I play golf, I always use a buggy because I suffer from an arthritic hip. I think my players will be very happy to see me back on the pitch so fast." Van Gaal plans to conduct his first motorised training session on Friday. His side are not in UEFA Cup action this week, having drawn their opening Group A game 1-1 at FC Zenit St. Petersburg on Matchday 1.