THURSDAY, JANUARY 31, 2019 16 Neymar out for 10 weeks

PSG’s Brazilian forward• ruled out of Champions League tie with Manchester United KNOW WHAT • Neymar is set to be out until April with Neymar has scored a metatarsal injury 20 goals this season in 23 appearances, AFP | Paris including five in the Champions League eymar will miss both legs group stage of Paris Saint-Germain’s Nupcoming Champions mer Barcelona superstar back League last-16 tie against Man- to full fitness in two and a half chester United after the French months without an operation? club confirmed yesterday that “A simple consolidation of the the world’s most expensive play- affected bone by orthopaedic er would be out for 10 weeks treatment, which could also be with a metatarsal injury. accompanied by the injection of However, Neymar will not stem cells,” an expert in sports undergo an operation, with PSG rehabilitation, who asked not to saying the 26-year-old Brazilian be named, told AFP. had instead agreed on “a con- Neymar’s new injury is a ma- servative treatment” that could jor boost to United, who are see him return in time for the unbeaten since Ole Gunnar Sol- Champions League quarter-fi- skjaer replaced the sacked Jose nals in April should they qualify. Mourinho in the dugout. “After detailed analysis by spe- Paris Saint-Germain’s Brazilian forward Neymar is tackled by Strasbourg’s Tunisian midfielder Moataz Zemzemi during the French Cup round of 32 football match It is also a blow to PSG’s ambi- cialists, a consensus was reached between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Strasbourg (RCS) tions of going all the way in Eu- of a conservative treatment of rope after years of disappoint- Neymar’s injury to the fifth right 222-million-euro forward out courage and determination that team doctor Rodrigo Lasmar They went on to lose that tie ment in the Champions League metatarsal,” the French champi- of the first leg against United the player has always shown,” have been in Paris this week to 5-2 on aggregate to the eventual since the Qatari takeover of the ons said. at Old Trafford on February 12. the club added. visit Neymar, who suffered a winners. club in 2011. “Informed of this recommen- The second leg of that tie is fracture to the same right foot But while last year the Bra- Neymar has scored 20 goals dation, Paris Saint-Germain’s scheduled for March 6, and the History repeating at the end of February last year. zilian national team’s influence this season in 23 appearances, Brazilian international striker timeline announced by the club While Neymar will now sit out He underwent an operation, proved crucial in persuading including five in the Champions agreed with this protocol. As means he could just make it back a crucial period in PSG’s season, performed by Lasmar, and re- Neymar to go under the knife, League group stage. a result, Neymar is expected in time for a quarter-final first there has also been concern in turned just in time for the World this time PSG were determined His injury comes just as the to return to the field within 10 leg, due to be played on April 9 Brazil, which will host the Copa Cup in Russia last June. to play the deciding role in the Ligue 1 leaders are also sweat- weeks.” and 10. The second legs are set America in June and July. Then, the injury ruled him out treatment of their record sign- ing on the fitness of key mid - Neymar suffered the injury for the following week. An operation would have put of the second leg of their Cham- ing. fielder Mar- in PSG’s 2-0 French Cup win “Paris Saint-Germain sends Neymar’s participation in that pions League last-16 tie against “The club took control of the co Verratti, against Strasbourg last week, its strongest support and en - tournament at risk, as well as ef- Real Madrid, hampering PSG’s matter,” a source close to PSG who has an and his coach Thomas Tuchel couragement to Neymar Jr. to fectively ending his club season. hopes of overturning a first-leg told AFP. ankle prob- had already all but ruled the overcome this injury, with the Brazil coach Tite and national deficit. So how will they get the for- lem. Guardiola not giving up on Sarri will not stop title bid despite Newcastle loss Hazard leaving Chelsea AFP | London should he express his desire AFP | Newcastle to leave. helsea manager Maurizio Sarri “The situation of Eden is ep Guardiola insisted Man- Cbelieves Eden Hazard could leave different. Eden is 28. If he Pchester City’s title hopes the club to fulfil his potential with wants to go, I think he has were still intact despite admit- the Belgian attracting interest from to go,” said Sarri ahead ting Liverpool are poised to Real Madrid. of their trip to Bourne- take a significant lead in their Hazard’s contract with the Premier mouth. two-way battle for the Premier League club expires in 2020 and he “Of course, I hope the League crown. has so far refused to extend that deal opposite. I hope he wants Jurgen Klopp’s side could ex- despite Chelsea’s efforts. to stay here. tend their advantage at the top The Blues have stood firm in re- “He has the potential to be to seven points with victory at jecting bids for Callum Hudson-Odoi the best player in Europe at home to Leicester yesterday from German giants Bayern Munich the moment. after the reigning champions’ for the 18-year-old. “Sometimes he’s happy shock 2-1 defeat at struggling Hudson-Odoi is also out of contract with something less. It’s my Newcastle on Tuesday. Sergio Aguero of Manchester City scores the opening goal the Premier League in 2020, but Sarri intimated the club’s job to improve him and put The Spaniard’s 100th league match between Newcastle United and Manchester City stance may be different and they may him in a position to do his game in charge turned sour at cash in on Hazard in the summer best.” St James’ Park despite Sergio There are still many games left four competitions. Eden Hazard Aguero putting City ahead in a and anything can happen,” the “That’s why we recorded mere 24 seconds with the fast- former Barcelona and Bayern 100 points last season. It’s just est Premier League goal of the Munich boss added. sometimes we don’t play at the season. “There are a lot of tough level we want to play and that Shoulder pain forces Sharapova out of St Petersburg Guardiola, however, is far games to play against sides can happen -- it was not our AFP | Saint Petersburg, Russia months to put it (her shoul - from ready to throw in the tow- trying to stay in this division, good night, and that’s some- der) in order, but to no avail,” el with more than three months or playing to get into the Eu- thing I understand completely.” aria Sharapova’s ongoing she said after her match with of the campaign to play, and ropa League or the Champions Newcastle moved five points Mright shoulder problems Gavrilova. predicted plenty more twists League. In our case we will do clear of danger after securing led her to pull out of the Saint “I still have plenty of work and turns in Liverpool’s bid to our best to be there and not to back-to-back league wins for Petersburg tournament, the or- to do.” end a 29-year wait to win Eng- give up.” the first time since November ganisers said yesterday. Sharapova’s withdrawal lish football’s top prize. after Salomon Rondon equal- The 31-year-old has been opened the way into the last “We’re still in January,” ‘Not our good night’ ised midway through the sec- struggling back to elite fitness eight for third-seeded Daria said City manager Guardio - After surrendering an eight- ond half before Matt Ritchie’s since watching from the side- Kasaatkina, who enjoyed an la. “There’s a lot of time but game winning run at St James’ penalty 10 minutes from time lines during a 15-month doping opening round bye. of course, when you’re behind Park, second-placed City return completed their comeback. ban ended in 2017. The former world number the leaders you don’t want to to action at home to Arsenal on This victory came with the The five-time major winner one Sharapova failed to reach drop points and every game is February 3, and their Spanish Magpies poised to clinch a beat Daria Gavrilova of Austral- the Australian Open quarter-fi- one less but there are still a lot coach added: “We didn’t under- club-record £20 million ($26 ia 6-0, 6-4 in her debut in the nals earlier in January, but of matches to play.” estimate Newcastle -- no way. million, 23 million euros) move tournament, but suffered with Russia’s Maria Sharapova reacts claimed she still believes she “A lead of seven points is a lot We’d never do that and that’s for Atlanta United’s Paraguay her shoulder injury afterwards. during her match against Australia’s can increase her tally of five but we’re not in April or May. the reason why we’re still in forward Miguel Almiron. “I have worked hard for Daria Gavrilova Slam titles.