Steve Zakuani's chances of making his return for Friday's Reserve League game has moved to decidedly more than 50-50. The player's agent, Richard Motzkin, announced via Twitter than Zakuani was expected to play against the Vancouver Whitecaps.

Everyone hands together for @stevezakuani11 as he makes his return tonight for @soundersfc v @WhitecapsFC in an MLS Reserve match.

The Wengerism 'like a new signing' will never be greeted with more excitement than when Jack Wilshere returns to action for Arsenal next season.

The extremely talented 20-year-old missed the entire 2011/12 season with a recurring ankle problem after a highly impressive first campaign in Arsenal's midfield.

Hello, how's the head? Pounding, eh? I know the feeling. A quick Saturday round-up for you. Not that you don't deserve more. There just isn't more.

Anyway, we'll start with Bacary Sagna who in the spare time he has since that bloke tromped on his leg and broke it, has obviously been soaking up the mood from the old Twitter box.

David Villa ruled himself out of the running for a place in Spain's squad for Euro 2012 on Tuesday after failing to fully recover from a broken leg.

Villa has not played a competitive match since breaking his leg in the FIFA Club World Cup in December and said on his official Twitter feed:

"I tried right to the end but I wasn't able to get to 100 per cent for the Euros.

With the Premier League season drawing to a close, OTP reflects on the players who were ready to set the Premier League alight last summer... but have hardly been seen since. 1. Park Chu-Young (Arsenal) Park's summer transfer looks increasingly like a marketing ploy on the evidence of his first season at the Emirates Stadium.

With the Premier League season drawing to a close, OTP reflects on the players who were ready to set the Premier League alight last summer... but have hardly been seen since. 1. Park Chu-Young (Arsenal) Park's summer transfer looks increasingly like a marketing ploy on the evidence of his first season at the Emirates Stadium.

A big blow for Spain heading into this summer's European Championship as Barcelona announced today that Carlos Puyol has a knee injury that requires arthroscopic surgery.

"After tests were conducted it was decided the player would have arthroscopic surgery next Saturday, May 12," Barcelona said in a statement on their website.

Spain's European championship title defense is going to be a bit more challenging, as a vital component to its back line is unlikely to be available for the world's No. 1-ranked team.

Carles Puyol is doubtful for this summer's tournament after Barcelona announced that their captain and 34-year-old centerback requires arthroscopic knee surgery that will sideline him for around the next six weeks.

Match report Video By the numbers

Even in the cold light of a rather hungover day it's hard to put into words what we saw yesterday.

As others have suggested it rather summed up our season, we fought hard to get back into a good position, then let it slip through carelessness and over-complication.

D.C. United are riding high on a six-game unbeaten streak following a 4-1 victory over the New York Red Bulls Sunday night.

Converted forward Chris Pontius is largely responsible for the resurgence in D.C., scoring four goals, including a hat trick Sunday night, since being moved up top to provide the finishing touch his club had been lacking.

If there were any lingering doubts over Chris Pontius being able to return to the form he showed before suffering a broken leg last season, he put those doubts to rest against the New York Red Bulls.

Pontius inspired D.C. United to a big 4-1 victory over the New York Red Bulls on Sunday with the first hat-trick of his career.

1. Daniel Zitka (Anderlecht) Anderlecht keeper Daniel Zitka was on his way to hospital with a broken leg when one clumsy stretcher bearer stumbled and went head-first into the turf. The clown then had the cheek to milk his own injury for all it was worth! 2. Internacional v Confianca After a less then comfortable [.

1. Daniel Zitka (Anderlecht) Anderlecht keeper Daniel Zitka was on his way to hospital with a broken leg when one clumsy stretcher bearer stumbled and went head-first into the turf. The clown then had the cheek to milk his own injury for all it was worth! 2. Internacional v Confianca After a less then comfortable [.

Andres Iniesta celebrates goal against AC Milan in 3-1 victory and berth in Champions League semi-finals (Photo: AP Photo/Alvaro Barrientos)

A pair of spot kicks and a second-half strike from Andres Iniesta saw Barcelona claim a 3-1 victory over AC Milan at the Camp Nou on Tuesday night, securing the Catalans' passage to the semi-finals of the Champions League for the fifth consecutive season.

Danny Simpson thinks that Ben Arfa has had an up and down season, but he's now getting back to full match fitness again, after his terrible broken leg, and it shows. The great Ben Arfa in action last Sunday Danny plays behind Ben Arfa, and he's played with some great wingers at Manchester United, and he knows class when he sees [.

If Toronto FC is to figure out a remedy for their defensive problems, Wednesday night would be an ideal time to do so.

TFC, Major League Soccer's last hope in the CONCACAF Champions League, welcomes red-hot Herculez Gomez and in-form Santos Laguna to BMO Field Wednesday night for the opening match of their CCL semifinal match (8 p.

As far as home openers go, Toronto FC and its fans endured a rough one.

After finding out that goalkeeper Stefan Frei would be out for up to 10 weeks with a broken leg on Saturday, Toronto FC fell to 0-2 on the season with a 3-0 loss to the San Jose Earthquakes at BMO Field.

Some shaky Toronto defending allowed for Chris Wondolowski to score twice in the match, and he could have had a third if not for hitting a wide open shot off the near post in the second half.

I don't care that Bacary Sagna looks like Serena Williams' ugly brother.
And I don't care that, except for Cesc Fabregas' mullet, his hair-style is the funniest I've seen a player in an Arsenal shirt ever have.
Because Bacary is a hero for Arsenal. A proper hero. Like Hercules.
Is it any coincidence, that since his return from a broken leg, Arsenal have shown the kind of fight only ever seen on the battlefields of Scotland by William Wallace and co?

Tomorrow at 4pm local time, the Fire take on DC United at the Carolina Challenge Cup. This match is going to be streamed at chicago-fire.com.To most of us Fire fans this will be the first time that we will get to see them play this year. I imagine both teams will probably try and limit subs and get as many of the starting XI the full 90.

Arsenal traveled north to face a Sunderland club that has seen a resurgence since installing Martin O'Neil as their manager and it took a two late goal by impact substitutes to come away with the three points. Keep reading for all the glorious heart-stopping action.

Arsene Wenger chose to start the same squad that demolished Blackburn last week with the exception of Francis Coquelin as Bacary Sagna was drafted in for his 2nd start since his broken leg.

Bolton Wanderers vs Liverpool
21 January 2012
17.30 GMT
Reebok Stadium

History:
Total Appearances: 131
Liverpool Wins: 56
Bolton Wins: 43
Draws: 32

Last Premier League Meeting: 27 August 2011 Liverpool 3-1 Bolton (Henderson, Skrtel, Adam)

Form:
Liverpool: The rollercoaster-ness of the season to date has been unbearable if you are a Liverpool fan, and that continued a week ago as the Reds battled to a disappointing 0-0 home draw with Stoke.

The U.S. team has proved quite popular with the Canadian media so far (and thanks also to the several American journalists in town!). Of course, the U.S. playes obliged with many interviews which of course serve to promote the game, the team and the tournament. Above, Becky Sauerbrunn gives her thoughts on various soccer topics.

Photo by Jose L. Argueta/ISIphotos.com

By AVI CREDITOR

The majority of D.C. United's offseason roster questions have not fully been answered, and as the club's preseason got underway with the first day of training on Wednesday, it is clear that there is plenty to be done before the team takes its final shape.

There's been a lot of talk about how difficult Ben Arfa is to handle, but we think he's handled himself very well indeed since he's been at Newcastle. Ben Arfa tussing with Clint Hill yesterday Of course he had that terrible broken leg fifteen months ago, but he's now getting back to his best and [.

By Dario Camacho - MIAMI, FL (Jan 13, 2011) US Soccer Players -- Last year's Major League Soccer season probably had two of the worst injuries I've ever seen. The first I happen to catch on replay, was Steve Zakuani's broken leg. The physical revulsion of watching a pro athlete's leg dangling, swinging in all improper directions, was an unnecessary reminder of the brutal side of the sport.

By Chris Wright

Given the current penchant for the two-footed Exocet-style challenge as favoured by Glen Johnson among others, here is Pies' pick of the XI worst, shin-splintering, sinew-shredding, ligament-twanging, bone-flaking tackles to ever take place on a Premier League pitch (that we could find corresponding videos for).

Messi celebrates second goal against Osasuna in Copa del Rey (Photo: David Ramos/Getty Images)

Barcelona kicked off 2012 the way they finished 2011: with goals.

On the back of a 4-0 FIFA Club World Cup Championship victory over Santos and a 9-0 demolition of C.E. L'Hospitalet to wrap up a memorable 2011, Barcelona returned to action without missing a beat, defeating Osasuna 4-0 at the Camp Nou in their first match of the new year.

Barcelona striker David Villa got a welcome boost as he was released from Hospital yesterday, five days after undergoing an operation on his broken leg picked up last month in his clubs successful World Club Cup competition.

Villa must be delighted with being able to spend Christmas day with his childhood sweetheart, Wife Patricia Gonzalez and their two Daughters, Zaida (8) and Olaya (2).

Villa-Villa-Villa, Villa Maravilla! Road to recovery begins for Spain's kid is a post from: Just Football

David Villa is not the most controversial of footballers. If you're the type of fan that likes his players a little rough around the edges, or the type for whom players only register when they do something out of the ordinary the Barcelona striker may rarely even register.

Many of you have asked about this peculiar shirt sported by Puyol after Barca's World Club Cup win over Santos on Sunday. 'El Guaje' is David Villa's nickname, and as you may know, the poor tipo has been ruled out with a horrendous broken leg that has ruled him out for the rest of the season and possibly Euro 2012.

A coaching change at FC Ingolstadt led to an early winter break for Edson Buddle, who was sent home until the new year. The U.S. national team striker isn't going to lay around doing nothing during the German winter break though. He has headed to London, where he will spend a week training with West Ham United.

• Kop That: Newcastle pay tribute to Gary Speed http://t.co/ivsJF03F 23:41:44, 2011-12-17
• Kop That: Premier League elite tracking Derby teenager http://t.co/xd6RHixL 23:23:48, 2011-12-17
• Kop That: Dalglish backs 'humble' Suarez http://t.co/TE9D9I5l 23:23:42, 2011-12-17
• Kop That: Lack of black managers is 'institutional racism' says former FA chief http://t.

Barcelona striker David Villa to have surgery on broken leg

Barcelona star David Villa was in surprisingly good spirits on Thursday despite suffering a broken leg. The 30-year-old was carried off on a stretcher six minutes before half-time.

View the full story here: The Mail

A news article on 2011-12-17 20:45:08 from: The Mail

This news item has been reproduced from today's media.

Villa lost for season during Club World Cup victory of Al-Saad (Photo: AP Photo)

When is a victory considered a loss?

Barcelona's 4-0 demolition of Qatar's Al-Sadd Sports Club advanced Barcelona to the Club World Cup Championship against Santos, but the victory came at one hell of a price.

David Villa broken leg: Barcelona striker is all smiles after horror injury

Barcelona star David Villa was in surprisingly good spirits on Thursday despite suffering a broken leg. The 30-year-old was carried off on a stretcher six minutes before half-time.

View the full story here: The Mail

A news article on 2011-12-16 10:09:57 from: The Mail

This news item has been reproduced from today's media.

David Villa broken leg: Barcelona striker suffers in Club World Cup semi-final

Premier League clubs Chelsea and Liverpool have been forced to call off their pursuit of Barcelona and Spain striker David Villa after the striker suffered a broken leg.

View the full story here: The Mail

A news article on 2011-12-15 15:58:21 from: The Mail

This news item has been reproduced from today's media.

It is a tournament that receives much criticism given its awkward timing and relative unimportance, but I guess the World Club Championship has lost a whole heap more supporters following Barcelona's game with Al-Sadd.
Not that is was anything to do with Barca's Qatari opponents, who worked diligently to try and contain the European Champions.

Barcelona have set up a dream FIFA Club World Cup final against Santos by defeating Al-Sadd 4-0 today. The Barca victory though was dampered by the broken leg to striker David Villa, that will keep the Barca striker out of action for around six months.

The Villa's injury aside, this was more like a training exercise for Barcelona as Al-Sadd is not in the same class.

Barcelona have set up a dream FIFA Club World Cup final against Santos by defeating Al-Sadd 4-0 today. The Barca victory though was dampered by the broken leg to striker David Villa, that will keep the Barca striker out of action for around six months.

The Villa's injury aside, this was more like a training exercise for Barcelona as Al-Sadd is not in the same class.

Union de Santa Fe's Marcelo Sarmiento challenges for the ball with Newells Old Boy's Fabian Munoz, with Sarmiento coming out with his foot pointing in the wrong direction. Sarmiento even forgave Munos for his gruesome broken leg saying: "[Munoz] came to the locker room while I was being treated.