rediff.com
News APP

NewsApp (Free)

Read news as it happens
Download NewsApp

Available on  gplay

Rediff.com  » Sports » Sports Shorts: Bale doubtful starter for Bayern game
This article was first published 9 years ago

Sports Shorts: Bale doubtful starter for Bayern game

April 23, 2014 13:37 IST

Image: Gareth Bale
Photographs: Denis Doyle/Getty Images

Real Madrid winger Gareth Bale could miss Wednesday's Champions League semi-final, first leg at home to Bayern Munich due to illness, Spanish media reported on Tuesday.

Bale, who has been suffering from flu, trained with the rest of the squad earlier on Tuesday but had not been able to join up with them later at their hotel, the reports said.

Real medical staff had recommended he remain at home to avoid infecting his team mates, they added.

After a season disrupted by a series of minor injuries, Wales international Bale has come into form in recent months and scored a brilliant winning goal against Barcelona in last week's King's Cup final.

Real are chasing a record-extending 10th European crown, while holders Bayern are bidding to become the first team to retain the Champions League title.

 

Leicester seal second-tier title with win at Bolton

Image: Leicester players celebrate after winning the title
Photographs: Michael Regan/Getty Images

Leicester City celebrated winning the English Championship title on Tuesday with a 1-0 win at Bolton Wanderers that opened an unassailable seven-point lead at the top of the second tier with two matches remaining.

Leicester, who secured a return to the Premier League for the first time since 2004 earlier this month, took the lead in the 62nd minute through Lloyd Dyer's shot into the top corner and held on to celebrate in front of 2,000 travelling fans.

They now have 96 points from 44 games, ahead of Burnley who clinched an automatic promotion spot on Monday with a 2-0 victory over Wigan Athletic.

Leicester, owned by Thai businessman Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, missed out on automatic promotion last season after winning two of their final 13 matches before being knocked out in the playoffs by Watford after Anthony Knockaert missed a last-minute penalty and City then conceded in a dramatic finish.

Reading moved back into the playoff places with a 2-0 home win over Middlesbrough thanks to an Adam Le Fondre strike and an own goal from George Friend.

 

Cech, Terry to miss rest of Premier League season

Image: John Terry
Photographs: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images

Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech will miss the rest of the season after landing heavily and injuring his right elbow in Tuesday's 0-0 draw with Atletico Madrid in their Champions League semi-final first leg.

Captain John Terry will also be sidelined for the last three Premier League games of the campaign after twisting his ankle in the second half but he could be fit for next month's Champions League final in Lisbon if Chelsea get through.

Czech Republic international Cech was replaced by 41-year-old Mark Schwarzer in the 18th minute at the Vicente Calderon after Atletico midfielder Raul Garcia took a tumble and felled the keeper at a corner.

"Petr Cech was knocked over. I don't remember which player it was but he has an injury that means his season is over," Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho told reporters.

"And John...we'll have to get to the final for him to be able to play again this season."

The injuries represent a blow to second-placed Chelsea's chances of catching Premier League leaders Liverpool who are five points clear of the London club.

The two title rivals meet at Anfield this Sunday.