Man City Thai up deal for defender Sukha

Manchester City have agreed a deal to sign Thailand defender Suree Sukha, according to owner Thaksin Shinawatra's lawyer.

The Chon Buri full-back, who recently shone for his country in the AFC Asian Cup in July, is one of three Thai players currently on trial at City.

Thaksin has stressed since taking over the club that he is keen to bring Thai players to the Barclays Premier League and should Suree complete the move he will become the first player from his country to play in England's top flight.

'Suree will be the first Thai player to play in the Premier League. His work permit is now being processed,' confirmed lawyer Noppadon Pattama.

Thailand's national team manager, Chanvit Polchovin, who recently returned to Thailand after staying with the players in Manchester, admitted the move will be a great boost for Thai football.

'It is a good news and a great boost for Thai players who dream of playing in the Premiership,' he said in the Bangkok Post.

'To be part of the first team for the Thai player is a great honour for him. But please don't expect too much. He is unlikely to go straight into the first team line-up.'

Source: Socccernet.com

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Chelsea confirm Lampard thigh tear

Both Jose Mourinho and Steve McClaren are sweating on the fitness of Frank Lampard after Chelsea confirmed the midfielder sustained a tear in his thigh.

The 29-year-old pulled up at the end of training today as Chelsea continued their preparations for Sunday's Premier League trip to Aston Villa.

It is not yet known how long Lampard will be out but he is a huge doubt for England's Euro 2008 double header with Israel and Russia.

'It is too early to say how long the injury will keep him from playing,' read a statement from Chelsea.

The injury is on the same leg as the toe he broke earlier in the season.

For England boss Steve McClaren the news is arguably of more importance than for Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho.

While Mourinho can call on any number of replacements from his multi-talented squad, McClaren's options are somewhat limited.

At a time when David Beckham, Kieron Dyer and Wayne Rooney are all missing from international duty the loss of Lampard, whose experience at the highest level is invaluable in the situation England presently find themselves in, would be a grievous blow.

In fact, the only positive McClaren might be able to draw is that he will be spared the repeated dilemma of who to leave out of a central midfield consisting of Lampard, Steven Gerrard and Owen Hargreaves.

If Lampard is ruled out it would make it even more imperative that Gerrard plays despite being ruled out of Liverpool's Premier League encounter with Derby tomorrow with a broken toe.

Source: ManUtd.com

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Saha should face Black Cats

Sir Alex Ferguson expects Louis Saha to be involved in Saturday's Barclays Premier League clash with Sunderland at Old Trafford.

The French striker was pencilled in to play some part against Tottenham last weekend, only to be left out of the final 16-man squad. After another intensive week of training, however, Sir Alex has revealed that he should feature against Roy Keane's Black Cats.

"Louis is such an important player for us," Sir Alex told his pre-match press conference. "I don't think he'll start, but he can be a very important player if he comes on. He gives us another option, there needs to be more of a cutting edge about our game."

The 29-year-old striker has not appeared for United since a substitute cameo in May's defeat to AC Milan, and has been recuperating from a knee injury all summer.

Fellow injury victim Anderson could also feature on Saturday, having trained after suffering a hamstring strain earlier this month.

The Brazilian could make his United debut after arriving in a summer transfer from Porto, and he has impressed his new manager with his commitment to succeeding in England.

"I'm really pleased with Anderson's development over the last couple of weeks in terms of his training," said Sir Alex, who also confirmed that Gary Neville will not be fit in time for Saturday's match.

It'll be Roy Keane's first visit to Old Trafford as a manager having steered the Black Cats to the Championship crown last season. Still worshipped by United fans following his 12-year career with the Reds, Sir Alex fully expects the former skipper to be granted a special welcome on Saturday.

"He'll get a great reception," insisted the boss. "That's one of the things that makes me so proud to be manager of this football club. The reception our fans give to former players who come back to Old Trafford, both as a player and a manager, tells you what a great club we are.

"You only need to look at the ovations they've given Bryan Robson, Andy Cole, Teddy Sheringham, Mark Hughes and Steve Bruce, it'll be the same for Roy on Saturday."

Source: ManUtd.com

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Rooney 'not far' from return

Wayne Rooney is making promising progress in his recovery from a fractured foot, although he will not play any part in Saturday's game against Sunderland.

The 21-year-old was expected to be out for around eight weeks after suffering the injury on the opening day of the season against Reading.

However, Sir Alex Ferguson revealed last week that he is already keen to return to action and, while the striker won't be rushed back, a scan next week could provide the all-clear to make an early comeback.

"Wayne's still got a bit to do yet, but he's not far away," the manager told his pre-Sunderland press conference.

"He's been working really hard in the gym and he won't have a lot to pick up when he comes back, in terms of his fitness because he had a really good pre-season. He's going for a scan at the end of next week and hopefully that will give us a good result."

Source: ManUtd.com

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