FIFA Updates

Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech is set to be sidelined for the start of the Premier League season after tearing a calf muscle in his right leg, the club have confirmed.

Cech, 28, suffered the blow in training yesterday and is expected to be missing for the next month. This has ruled him out of the remaining pre-season friendlies, the Charity Shield clash against Manchester United on August 8 and at least the opening fixture in the defence of their league crown against West Bromwich Albion on August 14.

The Czech Republic international endured a similar knock in the last campaign against Inter in the Champions League and missed several weeks of action between February and March. Reserve shot-stoppers Henrique Hilario and Ross Turnbull will now compete to fill in between the posts at Stamford Bridge.

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BARCELONA, Spain (AP)—Barcelona striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic will miss Tuesday’s
Champions League quarterfinal against Arsenal with a leg injury and is in doubt
for next weekend’s Spanish league showdown with Real Madrid.

The Sweden striker felt discomfort in his right calf during the warmup for
Saturday’s 4-1 victory over Athletic Bilbao, and it was later revealed to be a
slight muscle tear.

The defending European champions welcome Arsenal to the Camp Nou following a
2-2 draw in north London. Ibrahimovic scored both goals in the first leg.

Barcelona could be without Gerard Pique for next Saturday’s match at
Santiago Bernabeu stadium, saying the Spain defender is likely to be sidelined
for up to seven days with a thigh injury. Pique is suspended for the Arsenal
game, as is captain Carles Puyol.

Suarez, who scored Barcelona’s first goal, and Yaya Toure were also replaced
due to injury but should be fit for Tuesday’s game.

“It’s nothing important. I’ll be OK tomorrow and the coach can count on me
Tuesday,” said Suarez, who was replaced with a calf injury in the 59th minute.

Toure was also substituted late in the match having receiving a knock to his
ankle.

Barcelona will be without Spain midfielder Andres Iniesta against Arsenal
but he is expected to return against Madrid.

“The progress from my injury is going very well and I hope to be in perfect
shape as soon as possible to help the team,” Iniesta wrote on his Twitter feed.

Barcelona leads Madrid by three points in the standings, although Madrid can
join the defending champions on 77 points with a victory at Racing Santander on
Sunday.