Senegal forward Sadio Mané doubtful for WC with injury
Munich, Nov 9: Senegal forward Sadio Mané is in doubt for the World Cup after Bayern Munich said on Wednesday he would miss the last league game before the tournament with a leg injury. Bayern said the two-time African player of the year had an injury to the head of the fibula bone in his lower right leg. Bayern didn’t specify how serious the injury might be, saying only that Mané would not be available to play Schalke on Saturday. “Further examinations will follow in the coming days. FC Bayern is also in contact with the medical staff of the Senegalese Football Association,” Bayern said in a statement. Mané was in clear discomfort after a blow to the right leg early in Bayern’s 6-1 win over Werder Bremen on Tuesday. (AP)
England’s Reece James to miss FIFA WC due to knee injury
LONDON, Nov 9: England right back Reece James confirmed on Wednesday he will not be a part of the England team at the World Cup in Qatar due to a knee injury, further depleting manager Gareth Southgate’s options in defence. Chelsea’s James had stolen ahead of a packed field to make his spot on the right of England’s back five his own, but a knee injury picked up on Oct. 11 against AC Milan ruled him out for eight weeks. In a news conference on Tuesday, Chelsea manager Graham Potter had said James was only taking part in light training. (Agencies)
American defender Richards out of Qatar World Cup
LOS Angeles, Nov 9: American defender Chris Richards will miss the World Cup because of an injury that has sidelined him for more than two months. “Gutted that this injury has ruled me out of the World Cup,” he wrote Tuesday on Instagram. “Will be rooting for y’all the whole way,” he said of his US teammates. A 22-year-old from Birmingham, Alabama, Richards debuted for the US in November 2020 and has made eight international appearances. US coach Gregg Berhalter is set to announce his 26-man roster Wednesday. The US already was missing Atlanta defender Miles Robinson, who tore his left Achilles on May 7. (AP)
