Sir Alex Ferguson has rubbished reports suggesting that United center-back Chris Smalling has glandular fever, revealing that the England international has tonsillitis, a significantly less serious injury.
Smalling will miss Manchester United’s clash with Blackburn Rovers on Saturday, but is set to return to the club afterwards.
“Chris Smalling has got tonsillitis,” confirmed Sir Alex.
“I know there are reports about glandular fever but they’re off the mark.
“He had glandular fever as a kid but that’s not the case here. He should be ready for the Newcastle game, at least definitely the Manchester City game in the FA Cup. He’ll be ready for those games.”
All in all, this is great news for Manchester United, the club’s supporters and of course, Chris Smalling.
In other news, Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas is keen on keeping Didier Drogba at Stamford Bridge as the club continue to negotiate a contract extension with the Ivorian talisman.
Since arriving in London via Marseille in 2004, Drogba has bagged 98 Premier League goals and 54 assists for the Blues in 215 games, and has been Chelsea’s most dangerous player by a long shot.
“We’ve had these talks before,” AVB told reporters.
“Our interest is there and the agreement hasn’t been done.
“January arrives and the player is free to start speaking to other people and he has this advantage but his integrity and his values are never in question, neither his professionalism.
“We have to reach an agreement. It’s a two-way process and it’s been on-going for quite some time.
“We could have reached an agreement earlier but it wasn’t the case and now January arrives for the player to consider his options.
“For me as a manager it’s important to count on the player and person and I’m sure I can have it 100 per cent.”
Does this heavy interest in Drogba mean that Chelsea are ready to cut ties with the out of favor Fernando Torres?
Given that Chelsea have young forwards Daniel Sturridge and Romelu Lukaku at their disposal, this is a major possibility.
In addition, AVB also confirmed that injury-prone midfielder Michael Essien could soon return from a knee injury that he suffered in pre-season training.
“I think [he could begin training] mid-January,” added the Portuguese.
“He will be introduced to first-team activity in mid-January and contention properly I think we are looking at three weeks for him to gain form and start competing to the level that the others are.
“It could take less time if we are positive about it and maybe in two weeks he can reach that level of form to come back for the team.”
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