..::Football III::..

[Wolverine GTR]

Del Bosque: Costa approach no disrespect to Spain attack

Vicente del Bosque has reaffirmed his desire to select Atletico Madrid striker Diego Costa for Spain, but admits that Brazil are also interested in calling up the in-form forward.

The international future of Costa has come under scrutiny in recent weeks as the Selecao seem hesitant to call up the 25-year old, despite him scoring 10 goals in only eight starts for Atleti this season.

And though Del Bosque is keen on adding the player to his already talented squad, he does not want to upset other strikers that he could call upon, such as Premier League duo Roberto Soldado and Alvaro Negredo, as well as Spain's record goalscorer David Villa.

"We are obliged to have a conversation with him," Del Bosque told TVE. "He's in a difficult situation because Brazil also want to have him and he has to decide in the coming weeks.

"It's very difficult to please everyone, but calling up Diego Costa is no disrespect to the others."

Del Bosque was also quizzed on the debate over who should line up in goal for Spain at the World Cup among Iker Casillas, Victor Valdes and Pepe Reina but refused to say who was his preferred option and touted Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea as a possible future Roja star.

"We'll see what happens in each situation," he told reporters.

"The three of them are all over 30 years old. David de Gea is playing in a great team and we have high hopes for him."

Spain secured their place at the World Cup next year, finishing top of Group I in World Cup qualifying, three points ahead of France who will now be forced to qualify via a play-off.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Wenger expects Ozil to be fit for Norwich clash

Arsene Wenger is confident Mesut Ozil will recover from a knee injury sustained on international duty in time to face Norwich on Saturday.

Arsenal’s record signing was forced off during Germany’s win over Sweden with a minor knee injury and was initially considered a major doubt for Saturday’s clash.

However, as Goal recently revealed, the playmaker is now winning his battle to return to action and Wenger expects to have him available for selection.

"He is alright,” the Frenchman told the club’s official website. “He came back with a knock on the knee, but it was just a kick.

"We will have a test tomorrow [Friday] to see if he is fit enough for Saturday or not.

"When you have not played, there is always a little doubt, but not a major one."

There was more good news for the Gunners, as Wenger revealed both Santi Cazorla and Bacary Sagna are back in contention after respective ankle and hamstring injuries.

"Sagna is 80 per cent fit and he will have a test," he continued.

"Cazorla is available in training, but he is not match-fit. It is just about competitiveness with him. There is a possibility both are in the squad for Saturday. I have not decided whether they will start or not."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

'I'm the Player of the Century, Pele's award isn't worth sh*t' - Maradona

Argentina legend Diego Maradona has reignited his feud with Pele by claiming his recognition from Fifa is "not worth sh*t".

Maradona trumped his Brazilian counterpart to the Player of the Century award in 2000, collecting 53 per cent of the internet-based vote, while Pele's achievements were also recognised after he topped a poll of Fifa's "Football Family" at the same ceremony.

However, the 52-year-old feels that his rival's award is paled into insignificance by his own.

"In 2000 I won the Player of the Century award thanks to the people. Pele was second," he told reporters. "He also came second behind [Aryton] Senna as Brazil's greatest sportsman.

"The award that Fifa gave Pele isn't worth sh*t."

Meanwhile, the former Argentina boss has also launched a scathing attack on Fifa's president Sepp Blatter and its senior delegates, questioning their competency level when they are "so old that they cannot even drive a car".

He added: "The Fifa directors are all over 95 years old!

"The people there are so old that they cannot even drive a car, so how do they lead the world of football?"

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Neymar releases his own doll

Barcelona may have parted with €57 million to secure his services in May, but fans of Neymar will be able to obtain the star for significantly less following his decision to release his own doll.

The 21-year-old forward has teamed up with manufacturer Cosmokids for the release of his toy, which stands at 42cm in height and comes equipped with his trademark hairstyle, two Brazil kits and spare pair of boots - as well as a diamond-studded earring.

Mini me | Neymar poses with the doll which also comes with a change kit and a spare pair of boots.

The doll is set to be available for €60 but, like the Blaugrana, fans of the Selecao superstar will face stiff competition in their attempts to snap him up, with only 12,000 models slated to be released.

Living doll | The real Neymar dazzles Zambia during Brazil's recent friendly in China

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Balotelli could miss Barcelona clash

AC Milan star Mario Balotelli may not be able to face Barcelona in the Champions League after picking up an injury on international duty.

The 23-year-old striker was on target for the Azzurri in the midweek World Cup qualification match against Armenia, but has since returned to his club with a thigh injury, casting doubt on his participation in Saturday's Serie A clash with Udinese and Tuesday's European showdown with the Blaugrana at San Siro.

A statement released on Milan's official website read, "AC Milan announces that Mario Balotelli is suffering from a vastus intermedius muscle injury to the right thigh.

"The player will be monitored in the coming days in order to better define the extent of the problem and determine the prognosis."

Balotelli has scored three Serie A goals in four games so far this season, but missed Milan's last league fixtures after being sent-off in the 2-1 home defeat to Napoli in September.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Remy to turn down permanent Newcastle move

Loic Remy is poised to turn down a permanent transfer to Newcastle United in January as he wants to keep his options open ahead of a summer move.

Newcastle are keen to tie up an £8 million deal for the French striker in the new year following his impressive performances since joining on a season-long loan from QPR.

Remy has scored five goals in five Premier League games on Tyneside and the 26-year-old is aware there will be no shortage of offers for his signature at the end of the season.

Tottenham are among the long-term admirers of Remy and the former Marseille man is understood to be keen on a return to London, having settled quickly in the capital after joining QPR last January.

Remy earns around £80,000-a-week and Newcastle agreed in the summer to pay the France international’s salary in full after a long stand-off with QPR. The north east club have also paid a £2m loan fee for the player, meaning a £6m payment would be enough to activate the £8m clause in his contract.

Newcastle have already been stung once by Remy’s desire to live in London, when he had a late change of heart in January having verbally agreed on a switch to St James’ Park.

Remy, who featured in both games for the France team during the international break, has refused to offer Newcastle encouragement over a permanent switch and has remained coy on his future.

"I am really enjoying it at Newcastle, but what happens next I don't know," he said this week. "For the moment, the question of staying beyond my loan period is not in my head.

"It is a good question, but we have time to decide."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Demichelis desperate to make Manchester City debut

Martin Demichelis admits he cannot wait to play football again as he nears his full Manchester City debut.

The Argentine has been kept out of first-team action so far this season with a knee injury, but moved a step closer to making his debut by playing for the club's Elite Development Squad against Rochdale.

Demichelis moved from Atletico Madrid to the Etihad Stadium for €5 million in September, only two months after signing for the La Liga side.

"It was important to play and get the confidence back. It felt great to play and was important to feel what a game is like again," he told the club's official website.

"My knee responded very well and I'm very happy after working very hard to get here."

Managed by Arsenal legend Patrick Vieira, Demichelis played in defensive midfield as part of side compiled predominantly of Under-21 players.

"I've played this position many times before and the manager knew that. Obviously it was good for me to play there and get a lot of contact with the ball, so it all worked out and was good.

"It's a great team with some fantastic players and they are in good hands with Patrick.

"It's good for them to get involved in the professional set up, and I'm sure a lot of these players will do a lot of good things for City in the future."

With his injury problem easing, Demichelis has revealed he is settling well into life in Manchester.

"It was difficult at the beginning with the injury but that allowed me to meet everybody at the club and feel confident and comfortable with everybody, so it's fantastic now and I'm looking forward to my debut," he insisted.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

'Neymar a long way away from Messi & Ronaldo' - Deco

Barcelona legend Deco believes that Neymar is "a long way away" from the level of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

The 21-year-old attacker has yet to scale the heights expected of him as he continues to adapt to life in la Liga following his €57 million move from Santos in the summer, having netted just three times in 10 appearances so far this season.

But while acknowledging that Neymar has the ability to establish himself as one of the world's finest, Deco believes the youngster has a long road ahead of him.

"He has potential for it, for sure," the former Brazil and Blaugrana midfielder told El Mundo Deportivo. "But this is a long way away.

"Comparisons with Messi or Cristiano are easy because they have matured, but football is not only about quality - you also have to mature."

Deco, who called time on his illustrious playing career in August, before being handed a one-year ban from the game for doping, went on to plead his innocence in the case.

"Fluminense do not have a great medical structure, unlike Barcelona or Chelsea," the 36-year-old explained.

"That's why I got my own nutritionist and he sent my vitamins to a pharmacy for them to include vitamin supplements.

"These pharmacies also make medicine and my vitamins were accidentally contaminated. The contamination was small, but it led to a positive test for two banned substances.

"One is used as a diuretic and another is used to treat breast cancer, but contains anabolic steroids, which are useless in football.

"It annoys me, but deep down I do not care because I am already retired, unlike those who are still active.

"If this happens to a 25-year-old boy then his career could be over."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Giggs relishing Manchester United coaching role

Ryan Giggs feels that he is successfully making the transition from player to coach under David Moyes at Manchester United.

The Scot promoted the midfielder – who turns 40 in November – to player-coach when he succeeded Sir Alex Ferguson in May, with former Red Devils defender Phil Neville also returning to Old Trafford to form part of the Scot's backroom staff.

Giggs has played in three of United's seven Premier League games this term as his illustrious playing career enters what could be its final season before he hangs up his boots and is relishing his new responsibilities amid speculation that he could be one of the contenders for the Wales job as Chris Coleman awaits a decision on his future.

The veteran, capped 64 times for Wales and the holder of United's all-time appearance record, told the Manchester Evening News: "I am enjoying my coaching role at Manchester United - it has been great.

"It hasn't yet got to the point when I go into the dressing room and everything falls quiet but education is the next step in my career and I'm enjoying it. I am enjoying working with the new manager.

"Personally, I would prefer better results but we are only seven or eight games into the season."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Madrid should drop Benzema for Bale, says Toshack

Former Real Madrid coach John Toshack has advised Carlo Ancelotti to drop Karim Benzema in favour of Gareth Bale once the Wales international returns to full match fitness.

The 24-year-old is currently sidelined with a back problem having struggled for fitness ever since his world-record move this summer from Tottenham, managing just three competitive appearances to date.

Toshack has little doubt that Bale will succeed at the Santiago Bernabeu side once he has recovered from injury and would like to see his former protege team up with Cristiano Ronaldo in attack - especially given Benzema's poor run of form.

"With all the problems that Benzema has been having in front of goal, I would play with Cristiano Ronaldo and Bale in attack," Toshack told Cope.

"He could play in the No.9 position in my opinion. He is an extraordinary player and I am confident that he will succeed."

Toshack admits he is puzzled over Bale's fitness troubles this term, suggesting they could even be the reason behind his protracted move from White Hart Lane during the summer transfer window.

"Something strange happened that delayed the transfer. Something doesn't add up for me," he added.

"Bale gets really frustrated when he cannot play. Madrid know what they are doing, though. They know that there's a problem and they will look after it."

Bale worked under Toshack when the latter coached Wales between 2004 and 2010, with the Madrid winger making his national team debut in 2006.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Dortmund laugh off Hummels to Barcelona rumours

Borussia Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke has dismissed suggestions that Mats Hummels will leave the Bundesliga giants for Barcelona at the end of the 2013-14 campaign.

The Germany international, 24, has long been linked with a move to the Spanish champions and a number of recent reports suggested that BVB are ready to let go of Hummels if a €35 million offer comes in.

Watzke, however, has laughed off the rumours, telling ZDF: "That is absolute nonsense.

"This is a complete non-story. There's no truth whatsoever in these rumours."

Hummels, who has made 12 appearances this season for Jurgen Klopp's side, has a contract with Dortmund until June 2017.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Milito is a legend, says Belfodil

Inter forward Ishak Belfodil has voiced his admiration for Diego Milito and has praised his team-mate's humble attitude.

Milito played a pivotal role in the Nerazzurri's treble triumph of 2009-10, scoring twice in the Champions League final against Bayern Munich after hitting the winner in the Coppa Italia against Roma.

Belfodil joined Inter from Parma in the summer transfer window and the 21-year-old feels honoured to have the opportunity to train and play alongside the experienced Argentine.

"Now I see him every day, he's a very nice, normal guy and he doesn't behave like he's a legend - which he is," Belfodil told InterNOS.

"Perhaps when I leave or when he does I'll say to myself, 'Blimey, you played with Diego Milito!'."

The Algeria international went on to stress his gratitude for the way his team-mates have helped to settle since his reported €7.5 million move to Giuseppe Meazza.

"I like it at Inter and it's been like that since the start. I've not had any problems and what's helped has been the fact my Italian's better than it was in previous years. The more experienced players have also helped me to settle quickly, like [Esteban] Cambiasso and it all went better once my friend Taider joined," he continued.

"Then there was also [Gaby] Mudingayi, who speaks French, and [Ibrahima] Mbaye, who then went to Livorno. But all the other guys, the Argentinians etc. have all helped me a lot."

Belfodil has made three official appearances for Inter so far.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Iker Casillas admits doubts over Real Madrid future

Iker Casillas has admitted that he will consider quitting Real Madrid in the January transfer window if he fails to usurp Diego Lopez as the club's number one goalkeeper.

The Spain international, who has not started a league fixture for the Blancos since January, has struggled to wrestle his starting berth back from the 31-year-old this season, with speculation mounting that his woes could extend to international level and jeopardise his hopes of playing in the World Cup next summer.

And Casillas, who joined the club as a nine-year-old, has conceded that he may have to call time on his lengthy spell in the Spanish capital as soon as January.

"If a player isn't in the action then he starts to think about making a decision," the Roja captain told reporters.

"I’m human and I’m a footballer. I haven’t played for nine months now and it’s the same for me. I’m not a robot.

"Of course I want to stay here and win more titles with Real Madrid. I’ve been here since I was little, but there will come a day in which I have to take a decision.

"As of now my decision is to stay and fight, to struggle and play every day. If I wasn’t sure about it I would have told the president I wanted to leave in September.

"That being said, if in three months things haven’t changed and you ask me the same question, well maybe I’ll be thinking about leaving."

Casillas is under contract at the Santiago Bernabeu until 2017.

 

[D@sun]

ඉස්සර ඉස්කෝලේ ගිය කාලේ නම් football play කලා දැන් කොයිද ඉතින් ඕවට time 1ක් ...

..

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[Wolverine GTR]

Hoffenheim 1-2 Bayer Leverkusen: Phantom Kiessling goal haunts hosts

Bayer Leverkusen moved top of the Bundesliga with a 2-1 win over Hoffenheim on Friday, courtesy of a controversial Stefan Kiessling goal.

Sidney Sam had put Sami Hyypia's side into a first-half lead at the Rhein-Neckar Arena before a Kiessling header ended up in the net via a hole in the side-netting, but referee Felix Brych awarded the goal.

Hoffenheim's Kevin Volland had a goal controversially ruled out for offside with the game at 1-0, and Roberto Firmino missed a penalty in the closing stages of an action-packed match.

Sven Schipplock pulled a goal back in the closing stages, but Leverkusen held out for the three points.

After a tentative opening, the match was sparked into life in the 26th minute when Sam cut in from the right-hand side and drove a left-footed shot into the corner beyond Koen Casteels.

Hoffenheim thought they had equalised when Anthony Modeste headed across goal and Volland applied the finish.

However, the celebrations were curtailed with Modeste ruled offside, although replays suggested he was onside.

Leverkusen pushed to extend their lead but were largely frustrated by some dogged home defending, until a bizarre incident with 20 minutes remaining.

Kiessling rose highest to head Gonzalo Castro's header but appeared to put the ball just wide of the goal.

However, the ball crept through a gap in the netting, with Brych seemingly deceived and the goal stood.

Hoffenheim were rightly aggrieved by the incident and pushed hard to find a way back into the game.

And they had the perfect opportunity to come back into the encounter when they were awarded a penalty in the 83rd minute.

But Firmino's effort was saved by Bernd Leno before Modeste's rebound was deflected onto the post.

Hoffenheim did find a consolation with two minutes remaining thanks to Schipplock's effort, but could not force an equaliser.

The result means Leverkusen sit at the summit of the Bundesliga standings, with Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund due to play on Saturday, while Hoffenheim remain 10th.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Roma 2-0 Napoli: Pjanic double continues perfect Giallorossi start

Roma made it eight from eight with a 2-0 win over 10-man Napoli on Friday to keep a stranglehold on the top of Serie A.

Rudi Garcia's men would have dropped beneath the Partenopei with a defeat but Miralem Pjanic's two goals kept the Roman club's excellent 100 per cent record for 2013-14.

The Bosnian midfielder scored a 25-yard free kick as his first goal deep in first-half stoppage-time then doubled his tally with a drilled penalty against the run of play after substitute Paolo Cannavaro was shown a deserved red card to seal the Giallorossi victory and condemn Rafa Benitez to his first defeat as San Paolo coach.

Gonzalo Higuain's fitness concerns saw the Argentine start on the bench, while Roma goalkeeper Morgan De Sanctis featured against his former club for the first time since departing this summer.

Neither goalkeeper were tested in the early stages, as Pepe Reina simply had to stand his ground when Gervinho was through at an acute angle but sliced wide of the left post when under pressure.

Roma were dealt a blow when Francesco Totti was brought off with a thigh injury for Marco Borriello, quieting the Stadio Olimpico crowd somewhat, but supporters were back in full volume in the 35th minute when Daniele De Rossi cleared off the line.

Goran Pandev broke through the gaping Giallorossi defence, saw his shot only semi-saved by De Sanctis but, as the ball was bounced towards goal, the vice-captain chased it down to acrobatically clear.

Lorenzo Insigne looked to have had the final chance of the half but the young Napoli attacker could scarcely believe he struck the post instead of scoring, only realising as he began wheeling away to celebrate.

But Pjanic had the final say in the first half with a perfect free kick that curled into the top left-hand corner after Gervinho was bundled over by a clumsy challenge from Cannavaro, which earned the defender his first yellow card.

Inler clipped the outside of the post as Napoli looked to erase the goal deficit after the break and their attacks were quicker and their tempo more fluent than the Giallorossi's.

In the 58th minute, though, a drilled corner met by the head of De Rossi reminded the visitors of the threat even a blunt Roma can pose, though the Italy international nodded wide.

The game was not end-to-end but the best chances certainly alternated, as Marek Hamsik reacted to De Rossi's miss to make it three woodwork-thumping misses for the visitors.

Though Napoli looked stronger for the 25 minutes after half-time, the tides changed in the 71st minute when Cannavaro was show a second yellow for pulling Borriello to the ground inside the Napoli area.

Pjanic stepped up to lash the spot kick into the top left-hand corner, sending Reina the wrong way and doubling his goal tally for the evening.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Klopp: It’s cool our players are linked with Barca


Jurgen Klopp thinks it is "cool" that Barcelona are rumoured to have interest in Borussia Dortmund defender Mats Hummels.

Despite their success over the past three seasons, BVB have lost many of their star players, including the likes of Mario Gotze, Shinji Kagawa, Lucas Barrios and Nuri Sahin - now back at the club.

The most recent rumour links Hummels with a €35 million switch to Camp Nou, although his coach maintains there is no truth in the story as they have not agreed a price with the Catalans.

“I’m not annoyed by this news,” he told reporters. “It’s totally normal. I think it’s cool that players in our team can see themselves playing for other top clubs.”

Hummels arrived at Dortmund from Bayern Munich in 2009, and has been with the club since, with his contract expiring at the end of the 2016-2017 season.

Klopp will hope to avoid losing another integral part of his team, with Robert Lewandowski already having decided to leave the club when his contract expires next summer.

“Mats Hummels is probably popular with lots of clubs. I can imagine that being true," he added.

“But the rumour that we agreed on a certain price with Barcelona is too much.

“That’s the point where the rumour becomes annoying.”

During the summer, Hummels admitted to being "fascinated’" by Barcelona, but had made no plans surrounding his future.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Garcia devastated despite Roma win

Roma coach Rudi Garcia admits he is disappointed, despite a 2-0 victory over Napoli that moved them five points clear at the top of the table, though, second-placed Juventus travel to Fiorentina on Sunday.

Their eighth consecutive Serie A win courtesy of a double from Miralem Pjanic was overshadowed as captain Francesco Totti and winger Gervinho suffered injuries that forced them out of the game.

The severity of their injuries is not yet known, but Garcia can take solace in the fact that his Roma team have extended their perfect start to the season, scoring 22 goals and conceding only once.

“I am happy with the win, but it was a pyrrhic victory, as we lost Totti and Gervinho,” he told Sky Sport Italia. “They are muscular problems and will require further tests.

“Nonetheless, I am happy because we won and in a tough game like this you need to take every chance on set plays.”

With the victory, Roma's achievement was only the fourth time in Serie A history that a team has gone on to win their opening eight matches, after Juventus did so in 1930-31, 1985-86 and 2005-06.

“Tonight Totti’s Roma matched Michel Platini’s Juventus under the gaze of Diego Maradona. I am very proud to have contributed to that," Garcia added.

“We are very strong in defence, but for the moment we also know how to score goals – at least two in every game. Daniele [De Rossi] is a wonderful player and his ‘wall’ with Leandro Castan and Mehdi Benatia is a solid one I’ve liked since the start.

“Miralem Pjanic can also take free kicks like Juninho Pernambucano, though this one was a little different. At the start of the summer I knew a midfield with De Rossi, Kevin Strootman and Pjanic would be very strong. That area is the heart of my football. Kevin played when fatigued, but he did so with great courage.

“The injuries are a problem, but on the positive side they’ll give others an opportunity to play, such as Marco Borriello and Adem Ljajic.”

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Torres return boosts Chelsea

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho is set to welcome Fernando Torres back to his side for their fixture against Cardiff on Saturday.

Torres picked up a knee injury in a 4-0 Champions League win over Steaua Bucharest on October 1, missing Chelsea's victory over Norwich and Spain's final two World Cup qualifiers as a result.

However, the striker is available for the Welsh club's visit to Stamford Bridge, with Mourinho hailing the strength in depth available to him up front.

"I have Fernando, he is ready to play," Mourinho said. "He doesn’t know whether he will play yet – nobody knows.

"I was doing tactical work in training but didn't want to show the players who will play. I mixed the teams up so the players don't know.

"Fernando is ready if selected. He has shown good dedication and good work in this period.

"We have now the three [strikers] available. I want to have problems with players to choose from. Fernando, Eto'o and Demba [Ba] all three are ready and I think we need that."

Mourinho will be without Ashley Cole, who continues to struggle with a rib injury, while Andre Schurrle picked up an knock on international duty with Germany, and is a major doubt.

Ryan Bertrand is set to replace Cole at left-back although Mourinho was left frustrated by the international break and the effect on his squad.

When asked about the break, the Portuguese said: "I did not like the period. We trained with the kids which for them is good.

"From the team perspective it is bad - you win some matches consecutively and want to play again but they disappear. It is not a good feeling.

"We lost against Everton and Basel immediately after [the last international break] so today we are going to the hotel because I want them to get the feeling of the group and the team.

"Tomorrow is important, we have to try and win."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Van Persie doubtful for Southampton clash - Moyes

Manchester United manager David Moyes has revealed that Robin van Persie is a doubt for the Premier League clash with Southampton but had more positive news over the fitness of Marouane Fellaini.

Van Persie picked up a calf problem against Turkey on Tuesday night and Moyes feels he may struggle to feature against Saints at Old Trafford on Saturday.

United trail Mauricio Pochettino’s team by four points after a problematic start to Moyes' reign and Van Persie is yet to hit the heights that saw him top the goalscoring charts in last season’s Premier League.

Discussing the club’s injury problems, Moyes told MUTV: "We have a few with knocks.

"The one we are more worried about is Robin van Persie.

"He got a kick on the calf and he came off in the second game (against Turkey). He has had problems with his toes as well.

"We will see how he is."

However, the Scot did reveal that Fellaini, who is playing with a protective cast on his arm, should be fit for the foreseeable future as United look to delay an operation.

"Fellaini needs an operation," said Moyes. "It is quite a bad wrist injury. There is a bit of bone and ligament sticking out.

"We have been told we can get away without operating just now and we are a little bit short with Tom Cleverley picking up a calf strain for England, so we need him and we will put it off as long as we can.

"That could be as long as two years. It is not desperate but part of it is does he feel OK to play.

"You do use your arms to hold people off and we have to make sure his wrist is not suffering any more damage than it is already."

Moyes also praised Van Persie for overtaking Patrick Kluivert’s all-time Netherlands goalscoring record following his hat-trick against Hungay.

"It is an incredible achievement," Moyes added.

"What he wants to do now is score more goals for Holland and do it in a World Cup when it matters.

"But there have been some brilliant Dutch forwards over the years and they have had an array of talent. To be at the top of that list is something special."